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1.
NPJ Parkinsons Dis ; 10(1): 119, 2024 Jun 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38898032

ABSTRACT

Increasing evidence suggests that the cerebellum may have a role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Hence, the scope of this study was to investigate whether there are structural and functional alterations of the cerebellum and whether they correlate with motor and non-motor symptoms in early PD patients. Seventy-six patients with early PD and thirty-one age and sex-matched healthy subjects (HS) were enrolled and underwent a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. The following MRI analyses were performed: (1) volumes of 5 cerebellar regions of interest (sensorimotor and cognitive cerebellum, dentate, interposed, and fastigial nuclei); (2) microstructural integrity of the cerebellar white matter connections (inferior, middle, and superior cerebellar peduncles); (3) functional connectivity at rest of the 5 regions of interest already described in point 1 with the rest of brain. Compared to controls, early PD patients showed a significant decrease in gray matter volume of the dentate, interposed and fastigial nuclei, bilaterally. They also showed abnormal, bilateral white matter microstructural integrity in all 3 cerebellar peduncles. Functional connectivity of the 5 cerebellar regions of interest with several areas in the midbrain, basal ganglia and cerebral cortex was altered. Finally, there was a positive correlation between abnormal functional connectivity of the fastigial nucleus with the volume of the nucleus itself and a negative correlation with axial symptoms severity. Our results showed that structural and functional alterations of the cerebellum are present in PD patients and these changes contribute to the pathophysiology of PD in the early phase.

2.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 2368, 2024 Feb 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38321108

ABSTRACT

Nature-based solutions inherently require a multifaceted perspective that encompasses diverse fields. The aim of this project is to develop more effective nature-based solutions, climate action and environmental awareness by breaking down boundaries between disciplines and fostering a co-creative process. Concepts of ecology and urban forestry were combined with the research on political ecology, environmental humanities, land art, regenerative art, performing art, participatory art, and more-than-human art. This process resulted in the creation of Aula Verde Aniene. It is located in an urban park in Rome and consists of a stand of trees arranged in circles with a specific design to give the perception of being in an outdoor vegetated room. The project activities involved community participation through art performances and citizen science initiatives. Regulating and cultural ecosystem services of Aula Verde were assessed using i-Tree Eco software and citizens' surveys. Beyond numerical descriptions of ecosystem services, the manuscript introduces shinrin-yoku as a practice to raise awareness of nature. The distinctive approach here described contributed to convey a sense of belonging to the ecosystem to citizens. The project framework and study findings have been developed to formulate policy recommendations and disseminate a format that can be adapted to diverse locations.

3.
Arch Gynecol Obstet ; 309(1): 79-92, 2024 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37072584

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) management and delivery planning is based on a multimodal approach. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic accuracies of the aortic isthmus Doppler to predict adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies with FGR. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google scholar were searched from inception to May 2021, for studies on the prognostic accuracy of anterograde aortic isthmus flow compared with retrograde aortic isthmus flow in singleton pregnancy with FGR. The meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO and was assessed according to PRISMA and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. DerSimonian and Laird's random-effect model was used for relative risks, Freeman-Tukey Double Arcsine for pooled estimates and exact method to stabilize variances and CIs. Heterogeneity was quantified using I2 statistics. RESULTS: A total of 2933 articles were identified through the electronic search, of which 6 studies (involving 240 women) were included. The quality evaluation of studies revealed an overall acceptable score for study group selection and comparability and substantial heterogeneity. The risk of perinatal death was significantly greater in fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow, with a RR of 5.17 (p value 0.00001). Similarly, the stillbirth rate was found to have a RR of 5.39 (p value 0.00001). Respiratory distress syndrome had a RR of 2.64 (p value = 0.03) in the group of fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow. CONCLUSION: Aortic Isthmus Doppler study may add information for FGR management. However, additional clinical trial are required to assess its applicability in clinical practice.


Subject(s)
Aorta, Thoracic , Fetal Growth Retardation , Pregnancy Outcome , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Aorta, Thoracic/diagnostic imaging , Fetal Growth Retardation/diagnostic imaging , Fetus/blood supply , Stillbirth , Ultrasonography, Doppler/methods , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods , Fetal Death
4.
Neurol Sci ; 45(2): 741-744, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37857942

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To assess the state of neurological scientific research in Italy in the time interval 2020-2023. METHODS: Elsevier's modular integrated platform "SciVal" was used to analyze bibliometric research products starting from scientific production data uploaded onto Scopus. We considered the research area "Neurology" in the 01/01/2020-14/06/2023 time interval, and the following variables were extracted: number of published studies, number of citations, Field-Weighted Citation Impact, and percentage of international collaborations. The contribution of Italian scientists to the neurological research was compared to that of the other nations. RESULTS: Research identified 90,633 scientific papers in the neurological area worldwide, with a total of 472,750 citations. The products assigned to Italian groups were 6670 (53,587 citations, Field-Weighted Citation Impact 1.68, 41% international collaborations). CONCLUSIONS: According to the present study, Italian neurological research 2020 to 2023 ranks fifth globally and third in Europe.


Subject(s)
Bibliometrics , Neurology , Humans , Publications , Italy , Europe
5.
Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res ; 1870(5): 119465, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36935052

ABSTRACT

HIPK2 is an evolutionary conserved serine/threonine kinase with multifunctional roles in stress response, embryonic development and pathological conditions, such as cancer and fibrosis. The heterogeneity of its interactors and targets makes HIPK2 activity strongly dependent on the cellular context, and allows it to modulate multiple signaling pathways, ultimately regulating cell fate and proliferation. HIPK2 is highly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and its genetic ablation causes neurological defects in mice. Moreover, HIPK2 is involved in processes, such as endoplasmic reticulum stress response and protein aggregate accumulation, and pathways, including TGF-ß and BMP signaling, that are crucial in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Here, we review the data about the role of HIPK2 in neuronal development, survival, and homeostasis, highlighting the implications in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, and pointing out HIPK2 potentiality as therapeutic target and diagnostic or prognostic marker.


Subject(s)
Carrier Proteins , Nervous System Diseases , Animals , Carrier Proteins/metabolism , Nervous System Diseases/genetics , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Humans
6.
Ann Ig ; 35(3): 257-268, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36178128

ABSTRACT

Background: The fight against fake news, mainly spread through Internet, is a major public health issue, even among undergraduate students. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a website promoted by the Italian Federation of the Provincial Orders of the Medical Doctors as a first aid communication kit for health topics. Study design: Pre-post study using a web-based survey, conducted in April-May 2019 on Medical students and October-November 2020 on Communication Sciences students at the University of Florence (Italy). Methods. Undergraduate students of both schools were exposed to the use of the "dottoremaeveroche" website. Primary and secondary outcomes measures: the Italian-electronic Health Literacy Scale self-assessment tool was used to examine subjects' electronic Health literacy, and source quality. All responses were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Changing in perception of abilities were examined using the Wilcoxon test. Results: The 362 participants felt moderately confident in electronic Health Literacy, with an initial Italian-electronic Health Literacy Scale overall mean score of 3.6±0.7 for medical and 3.2±0.8 for communication students. Medical students had a good idea of how to find helpful sources (3.9±0.8) and communication students felt confident in recognizing their quality (3.5±1.0). In contrast, their confidence in using Web information to make health decisions was low (medical: 2.9±1.1; communication: 2.8±1.1). All items improved significantly after "dottoremaeveroche" use (p<.001), with the overall mean score of Italian-electronic Health Literacy Scale increasing to 4.3±0.6 for medical and 4.1±0.8 for communication students. Conclusions: Low electronic health literacy levels can affect public health efforts, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effectiveness of "dottoremaeveroche" among students showed the usefulness of online educational interventions that, if further implemented, could help combat the spread of infodemic.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Health Literacy , Students, Medical , Telemedicine , Humans , Universities , Pandemics , Telemedicine/methods , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Internet
7.
Neurol Sci ; 43(9): 5459-5469, 2022 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35672479

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by phenotypical heterogeneity, partly resulting from demographic and environmental risk factors. Socio-economic factors and the characteristics of local MS facilities might also play a part. METHODS: This study included patients with a confirmed MS diagnosis enrolled in the Italian MS and Related Disorders Register in 2000-2021. Patients at first visit were classified as having a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting (RR), primary progressive (PP), progressive-relapsing (PR), or secondary progressive MS (SP). Demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed, with centers' characteristics, geographic macro-areas, and Deprivation Index. We computed the odds ratios (OR) for CIS, PP/PR, and SP phenotypes, compared to the RR, using multivariate, multinomial, mixed effects logistic regression models. RESULTS: In all 35,243 patients from 106 centers were included. The OR of presenting more advanced MS phenotypes than the RR phenotype at first visit significantly diminished in relation to calendar period. Females were at a significantly lower risk of a PP/PR or SP phenotype. Older age was associated with CIS, PP/PR, and SP. The risk of a longer interval between disease onset and first visit was lower for the CIS phenotype, but higher for PP/PR and SP. The probability of SP at first visit was greater in the South of Italy. DISCUSSION: Differences in the phenotype of MS patients first seen in Italian centers can be only partly explained by differences in the centers' characteristics. The demographic and socio-economic characteristics of MS patients seem to be the main determinants of the phenotypes at first referral.


Subject(s)
Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting , Multiple Sclerosis , Female , Humans , Multiple Sclerosis/complications , Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive/complications , Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive/epidemiology , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/complications , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/epidemiology , Phenotype , Recurrence , Referral and Consultation
8.
Vet J ; 280: 105802, 2022 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35151883

ABSTRACT

Traditionally, staphylectomy has been performed using scissors cutting and suturing. Alternative surgical techniques such as staphylectomy with monopolar electrocoagulation, CO2 or diode laser, bipolar vessel sealing device and harmonic shears have also been described. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the difference in surgical time, intraoperative haemorrhage and histological damage between staphylectomy performed with harmonic shears (HSS), diode laser (DLS) and traditional scissor 'cutting and suturing' technique with Metzenbaum scissors (SIS). Group HSS included 17 dogs, whereas Group DLS and Group SIS included 10 dogs each. Double masked histological evaluation was performed on the excised specimens. The harmonic shears resulted in the shortest surgical times (HSS 46 s, DLS 300 s, SIS 360 s; P < 0.001). There was a difference in the intraoperative haemorrhage among the three techniques; intraoperative haemorrhage did not occur in HSS and DLS groups. HSS was associated with more frequent damage involving the connective tissue (P = 0.001), muscle (P = 0.038), salivary gland tissue (P < 0.001), but less oedema was observed (P < 0.001). HSS was the fastest of the techniques evaluated for caudal elongated soft palate resection, resulting in less tissue oedema, and no intra-operative haemorrhage. These characteristics might result in reduced postoperative swelling and airway obstruction compared to other techniques.


Subject(s)
Airway Obstruction , Dog Diseases , Airway Obstruction/pathology , Airway Obstruction/surgery , Airway Obstruction/veterinary , Animals , Dog Diseases/pathology , Dog Diseases/surgery , Dogs , Lasers, Semiconductor/therapeutic use , Palate, Soft/pathology , Palate, Soft/surgery , Prospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
9.
Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) ; 90: 105493, 2021 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34715549

ABSTRACT

Background Cervical dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary and sustained contraction of the neck muscles that determines abnormal posture. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dystonic posture in patients with cervical dystonia affects walking and causes postural changes. Methods Patients with cervical dystonia and a group of age-matched healthy controls underwent an instrumental evaluation of the Timed Up and Go Test. Findings All the spatio-temporal parameters of the sub-phases of the Timed up and go test had a significantly higher duration in cervical dystonia patients compared to the control group while no differences in flection and extension angular amplitudes were observed. Indeed, we found that Cervical Dystonia patients had abnormalities in turning, as well as in standing-up and sitting-down from a chair during the Timed up and go test than healthy controls. Interpretation Impairment in postural control in cervical dystonia patients during walking and postural changes prompts to develop rehabilitation strategies to improve postural stability and reduce the risk of fall in these patients.


Subject(s)
Postural Balance , Torticollis , Humans , Sitting Position , Time and Motion Studies , Walking
10.
Clin Neurophysiol ; 132(9): 2191-2198, 2021 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34293529

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether abnormal thalamic resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) contributes to altered sensorimotor integration and hand dexterity impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: To evaluate sensorimotor integration, we recorded kinematic features of index finger abductions during somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold (STDT) testing in 36 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 39 healthy controls (HC). Participants underwent a multimodal 3T structural and functional MRI protocol. RESULTS: Patients had lower index finger abduction velocity during STDT testing compared to HC. Thalamic rsFC with the precentral and postcentral gyri, supplementary motor area (SMA), insula, and basal ganglia was higher in patients than HC. Intrathalamic rsFC and thalamic rsFC with caudate and insula bilaterally was lower in patients than HC. Finger movement velocity positively correlated with intrathalamic rsFC and negatively correlated with thalamic rsFC with the precentral and postcentral gyri, SMA, and putamen. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal thalamic rsFC is a possible substrate for altered sensorimotor integration in MS, with high intrathalamic rsFC facilitating finger movements and increased thalamic rsFC with the basal ganglia and sensorimotor cortex contributing to motor performance deterioration. SIGNIFICANCE: The combined study of thalamic functional connectivity and upper limb sensorimotor integration may be useful in identifying patients who can benefit from early rehabilitation to prevent upper limb motor impairment.


Subject(s)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/diagnostic imaging , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/physiopathology , Psychomotor Performance/physiology , Sensory Gating/physiology , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nerve Net/diagnostic imaging , Nerve Net/physiopathology , Prospective Studies , Sensorimotor Cortex/diagnostic imaging , Sensorimotor Cortex/physiopathology , Thalamus/diagnostic imaging , Thalamus/physiopathology
11.
Environ Pollut ; 287: 117620, 2021 Oct 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34171723

ABSTRACT

Tropospheric ozone is a dangerous atmospheric pollutant for forest ecosystems when it penetrates stomata. Thresholds for ozone-risk assessment are based on accumulated stomatal ozone fluxes such as the Phytotoxic Ozone Dose (POD). In order to identify the effect of ozone on a Holm oak forest in central Italy, four flux-based ozone impact response functions were implemented and tested in a multi-layer canopy model AIRTREE and evaluated against Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) obtained from observations of Eddy Covariance fluxes of CO2. To evaluate if a clear phytotoxic threshold exists and if it changes during the year, six different detoxifying thresholds ranging between 0 and 5 nmol O3 m-2 s-1 were tested. The use of species-specific rather than more general response functions based on plant functional types (PFT) increased model accuracy (RMSE reduced by up to 8.5%). In the case of linear response functions, a threshold of 1 nmol m-2 s-2 produced the best results for simulations of the whole year, although the tolerance to ozone changed seasonally, with higher tolerance (5 nmol m-2 s-1 or no ozone impact) for Winter and Spring and lower thresholds in Summer and Fall (0-1 nmol m-2 s-1). A "dynamic threshold" obtained by extracting the best daily threshold values from a range of different simulations helped reduce model overestimation of GPP by 213 g C m-2 y-1 and reduce RMSE up to 7.7%. Finally, a nonlinear ozone correction based on manipulative experiments produced the best results when no detoxifying threshold was applied (0 nmol O3 m-2 s-1), suggesting that nonlinear functions fully account for ozone detoxification. The evidence of seasonal changes in ozone tolerance points to the need for seasonal thresholds to predict ozone damage and highlights the importance of performing more species-specific manipulative experiments to derive response functions for a broad range of plant species.


Subject(s)
Air Pollutants , Ozone , Air Pollutants/analysis , Air Pollutants/toxicity , Ecosystem , Forests , Ozone/analysis , Ozone/toxicity , Plant Stomata , Seasons
12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33715937

ABSTRACT

This randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of crestal level position of implants installed in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients rehabilitated with overdentures. Twenty-two mandibular edentulous T2DM patients were submitted to implant placement for retention of an overdenture. By means of a split-mouth design, two implants were installed: one at supracrestal level (SL) and one at crestal level (CL). Clinical, immunoenzymatic and tomographic analyses were performed at prosthesis placement (baseline) and after 6, 12 and 24 months following implant loading. Increased peri-implant probing depths were detected in CL implants when compared with SL implants at all time-points (baseline P=0.047; 6 months P=0.014; 12 months P=0.027; 24 months P=0.036). Indeed, augmented clinical attachment levels were also detected in CL implants when compared with SL implants at all time-points (baseline P=003; 6 months P=0.045; 12 months P=0.029; 24 months P=0.026). CL implants demonstrated increased amounts of interleukin-6 (IL-6) at 6 months (P=0.043) and higher IL-17 (P=0.021), IL-21 (P=0.034) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentrations (P=0.030) at 24 months in comparison with SL implants. CL group revealed enhanced bone loss from baseline to 6 (P=0.032), 12 (P=0.043) and 24 months (P=0.028) when compared with SL. In conclusion, this study showed that implants placed supracrestally in T2DM patients rehabilitated with overdentures demonstrated lower bone loss and better clinical parameters with beneficial modulation of peri-implant immunoinflammatory biomarkers when compared with implants positioned at crestal level.

13.
Clin Neurophysiol ; 132(5): 1151-1156, 2021 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33774380

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Motor surround inhibition (mSI) is a physiological mechanism that contributes to hand movement control by focusing voluntary movement. Growing evidence suggests that hand movement control is impaired in multiple sclerosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate mSI in MS and to investigate the brain structures involved in mSI in multiple sclerosis. METHODS: We recruited 33 patients and 23 controls. To investigate mSI, we delivered transcranial magnetic single pulses during index finger flexion. Motor evoked potentials were recorded and first dorsal interosseous ("active muscle") and from the abductor digiti minimi ("surround muscle"). mSI was expressed as the ratio between Motor evoked potentials recorded from the surround muscle during movement and at rest. Participants underwent a magnetic resonance study. RESULTS: Patients had impaired mSI as compared with controls. Magnetic resonance showed that basal ganglia had smaller volumes and higher mean diffusivity than controls. Impaired mSI correlated with primary motor cortex and basal ganglia involvement in multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSION: Altered mSI in multiple sclerosis is related to cortical and subcortical grey matter involvement. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study provides the first demonstration of a pathophysiological mechanism underlying hand movement control dysfunction in multiple sclerosis. mSI represents a new therapeutic target of multiple sclerosis rehabilitative approaches.


Subject(s)
Gray Matter/physiopathology , Motor Cortex/physiopathology , Multiple Sclerosis/physiopathology , Neural Inhibition , Adult , Basal Ganglia/physiopathology , Evoked Potentials, Motor , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology
14.
Environ Toxicol Pharmacol ; 80: 103504, 2020 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32980526

ABSTRACT

Toxicological effects of butylparaben (BuP) and ethylparaben (EtP) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) early-life stages are not well established. The present study evaluated, using zebrafish embryos and larvae, the toxicity of BuP and EtP through benchmark dose (BMD) approach. BuP was more toxic than EtP to zebrafish larvae. In fact, Lethal Concentration 50 (LC50) values at 96 h post-fertilization (hpf) for BuP and EtP were 2.34 mg/L and 20.86 mg/L, respectively. Indeed, BMD confidence interval (lower bound (BMDL) - upper bound (BMDU) was 0.91-1.92 mg/L for BuP and 10.8-17.4 mg/L for EtP. Zebrafish embryos exposed to 1 mg/L, 2.5 mg/L of BuP and 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L, 20 mg/L, 30 mg/L of EtP showed several developmental abnormalities and teratological effects compared to negative control. Exposed zebrafish developed reduced heartbeat, reduction in blood circulation, blood stasis, pericardial edema, deformed notochord and misshaped yolk sac. Embryos exposed to the highest concentrations of the chemicals (2.5 mg/L of BuP, 10 mg/L, 20 mg/L and 30 mg/L of EtP) showed the developmental abnormalities at 48 hpf while those treated with 1 mg/L of BuP and 10 mg/L of EtP reported behavioral changes at 72 hpf, including trembling of head, pectoral fins and spinal cord. This research identified the lethal and sublethal effects of BuP and EtP in zebrafish early-life stages and could be helpful to elucidate the developmental pathways of toxicity of parabens.


Subject(s)
Parabens/toxicity , Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity , Zebrafish/abnormalities , Animals , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Blood Circulation/drug effects , Edema/chemically induced , Embryo, Nonmammalian/abnormalities , Embryo, Nonmammalian/drug effects , Female , Hemostasis/drug effects , Larva/drug effects , Lethal Dose 50 , Male , Notochord/abnormalities , Notochord/drug effects , Pericardium/drug effects , Pericardium/pathology , Yolk Sac/abnormalities , Yolk Sac/drug effects
16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32428600

ABSTRACT

Methylparaben (MeP) is widely used as preservative in personal care products, food commodities and pharmaceuticals due to its antimicrobial properties. Its widespread use resulted in the contamination of aquatic environment and raised concerns about the potential adverse effects on human health, especially in the developing organisms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the embryotoxicity of MeP in zebrafish early-life stages applying the benchmark-dose (BMD) methodology to Fish embryo acute toxicity (FET) tests-OECD guideline 236. Toxic effects were studied by daily evaluation of lethal endpoints, hatching rate and sublethal alterations. Zebrafish fertilized eggs were exposed until 96 h post fertilization (hpf) to five concentrations of MeP: 1 mg/L, 10 mg/L, 30 mg/L, 60 mg/L and 80 mg/L. The lethal concentration 50 (LC 50) was 72.67 mg/L. Indeed, BMD confidence interval (lower bound, BMDL-upper bound, BMDU) was 40.8-57.4 mg/L for lethal endpoints and 16-26.5 mg/L for toxicity index, that includes both lethal and sublethal alterations. Zebrafish embryos exposed to MeP developed sublethal alterations including pericardial edema, yolk edema, blood stasis, reduction in blood circulation, reduced heartbeat and notochord curvature. The number of embryos exposed to the highest concentrations of MeP that reported sublethal alterations increased between 24hpf and 48 hpf-72 hpf-96 hpf. Only zebrafish larvae treated with 30 mg/L of MeP showed behavioural changes. This study highlighted the detrimental effects of MeP on zebrafish early-life stages with attention to its developmental toxicity.


Subject(s)
Parabens/toxicity , Preservatives, Pharmaceutical/toxicity , Zebrafish/embryology , Zebrafish/growth & development , Animals , Larva , Toxicity Tests, Acute
17.
Eur J Neurol ; 27(7): 1304-1309, 2020 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32250500

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to describe patients with the p.D12Y variant (previously reported as D11Y) in SOD1 showing heterogeneous clinicopathological features. METHODS: We performed clinical, electrophysiological, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and muscle pathology studies in four SOD1 p.D12Y variant-positive patients. RESULTS: The SOD1 p.D12Y clinical manifestations ranged from a benign phenotype characterized by distal distribution of muscular weakness and long survival to classic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with poor prognosis. Two patients with the distal clinical phenotype showed MRI and muscle pathology alterations indicating a concurrent muscle involvement. In one of these patients significant myopathic changes were associated with rimmed vacuolar pathology. CONCLUSIONS: We expand the clinical spectrum of SOD1 p.D12Y variant, including predominant lower motor neuron forms with long survival and classic forms with aggressive course. Some patients may have concomitant distal myopathy without other explanations. Given clinical, MRI and muscle pathology alterations, SOD1 should be considered in the differential diagnosis of molecularly undefined distal myopathies with rimmed vacuoles.


Subject(s)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis , Distal Myopathies , Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/diagnostic imaging , Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics , Genetic Variation , Humans , Motor Neurons , Muscle Weakness , Superoxide Dismutase-1/genetics
18.
J Hosp Infect ; 104(2): 214-235, 2020 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31715282

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterial infection-related morbidity and mortality in patients following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery is high and there is a growing need for a consensus-based expert opinion to provide international guidance for diagnosing, preventing and treating in these patients. In this document the International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases (ISCVID) covers aspects of prevention (field of hospital epidemiology), clinical management (infectious disease specialists, cardiac surgeons, ophthalmologists, others), laboratory diagnostics (microbiologists, molecular diagnostics), device management (perfusionists, cardiac surgeons) and public health aspects.


Subject(s)
Cross Infection , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous , Mycobacterium , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Cardiac Surgical Procedures/adverse effects , Cardiac Surgical Procedures/methods , Cardiology , Cardiopulmonary Bypass , Communicable Diseases , Cross Infection/diagnosis , Cross Infection/drug therapy , Cross Infection/microbiology , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Equipment Contamination , Humans , Mycobacterium/isolation & purification , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/diagnosis , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/drug therapy , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/prevention & control , Risk Factors , Societies, Medical , United Kingdom
19.
Clin Transl Oncol ; 22(3): 294-301, 2020 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31630357

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement confers sensitivity to ALK inhibitors (ALKis) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although several drugs provided an impressive outcome benefit, the most effective sequential strategy is still unknown. We describe outcomes of real-life patients according to the treatment strategy received. PATIENTS: We retrospectively collected 290 ALK rearranged advanced NSCLC diagnosed between 2011 and 2017 in 23 Italian institutions. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 26 months, PFS for crizotinib and a new generation ALKis were 9.4 [CI 95% 7.9-11.2] and 11.1 months [CI 95% 9.2-13.8], respectively, while TTF were 10.2 [CI 95% 8.5-12.6] and 11.9 months [CI 95% 9.7-17.4], respectively, being consistent across the different settings. The composed outcomes (the sum of PFS or TTF) in patients treated with crizotinib followed by a new generation ALKis were 27.8 months [CI 95% 24.3-33.7] in PFS and 30.4 months [CI 95% 24.7-34.9] in TTF. The median OS from the diagnosis of advanced disease was 39 months [CI 95% 31.8-54.5]. Patients receiving crizotinib followed by a new generation ALKis showed a higher median OS [57 months (CI 95% 42.0-73.8)] compared to those that did not receive crizotinib [38 months (CI 95% 18.6-NR)] and those who performed only crizotinib as target agent [15 months (CI 95% 11.3-34.0)] (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The sequential administration of crizotinib and a new generation ALKis provided a remarkable clinical benefit in this real-life population, being an interesting option to consider in selected patients.


Subject(s)
Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase/genetics , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase/antagonists & inhibitors , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Crizotinib/therapeutic use , Female , Gene Rearrangement , Humans , Italy , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
20.
Article in French | AIM (Africa) | ID: biblio-1264308

ABSTRACT

Le cancer du sein triple négatif est un groupe de carcinome du sein caractérisé par le manque d'expression des récepteurs hormonaux aux oestrogènes et à la progestérone (RE, RP) et HER2. Cette forme se caractérise également par son agressivité, un faible taux de survie et l'absence de thérapies ciblées. Dans cemanuscrit, nous en rapportons deux cas de survenant chez des femmes enceintes ayant bénéficié d'une chirurgie basée sur des mastectomies plus curage axillaire suivie d'une chimiothérapie et radiothérapie adjuvantes. Les deux évolutions ont été marquées par la survenue de métastases cérébrales. À travers ces cas, nous décrivons en mettant un accent sur les caractéristiquesclinique et le mauvais pronostic du cancer du sein triple négatif pendant la grossesse. Nous soumettons également une brève revue de la littérature sur cette situation pendant la grossesse


Subject(s)
Breast Cancer Lymphedema , Breast Neoplasms , Early Detection of Cancer , Prognosis
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