The Reference Site Collaborative Network of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing.

Seventy four Reference Sites of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) have been recognised by the European Commission in 2016 for their commitment to excellence in investing and scaling up innovative solutions for active and healthy ageing. The Reference Site Collaborative Network (RSCN) brings together the EIP on AHA Reference Sites awarded by the European Commission, and Candidate Reference Sites into a single forum. The overarching goals are to promote cooperation, share and transfer good practice and solutions in the development and scaling up of health and care strategies, policies and service delivery models, while at the same time supporting the action groups in their work. The RSCN aspires to be recognized by the EU Commission as the principal forum and authority representing all EIP on AHA Reference Sites. The RSCN will contribute to achieve the goals of the EIP on AHA by improving health and care outcomes for citizens across Europe, and the development of sustainable economic growth and the creation of jobs.

Transfer of innovation on allergic rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity in the elderly (MACVIA-ARIA) - EIP on AHA Twinning Reference Site (GARD research demonstration project).

The overarching goals of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) are to enable European citizens to lead healthy, active and independent lives whilst ageing. The EIP on AHA includes 74 Reference Sites. The aim of this study was to transfer innovation from an app developed by the MACVIA-France EIP on AHA reference site (Allergy Diary) to other reference sites. The phenotypic characteristics of rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity in adults and the elderly will be compared using validated information and communication technology (ICT) tools (i.e. the Allergy Diary and CARAT: Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test) in 22 Reference Sites or regions across Europe. This will improve the understanding, assessment of burden, diagnosis and management of rhinitis in the elderly by comparison with an adult population. Specific objectives will be: (i) to assess the percentage of adults and elderly who are able to use the Allergy Diary, (ii) to study the phenotypic characteristics and treatment over a 1-year period of rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity at baseline (cross-sectional study) and (iii) to follow-up using visual analogue scale (VAS). This part of the study may provide some insight into the differences between the elderly and adults in terms of response to treatment and practice. Finally (iv) work productivity will be examined in adults.

HeartDrive: A Broader Concept of Interoperability to Implement Care Processes for Heart Failure.

This paper originates from the HeartDrive project, a platform of services for a more effective, efficient and integrated management of heart failure and comorbidities. HeartDrive establishes a cooperative approach based on the concepts of continuity of care and extreme, patient oriented, customization of diagnostic, therapeutic and follow-up procedures. Definition and development of evidence based processes, migration from parceled and episode based healthcare provisioning to a workflow oriented model and increased awareness and responsibility of citizens towards their own health and wellness are key objectives of HeartDrive. In two scenarios for rehabilitation and home monitoring we show how the results are achieved by providing a solution that highlights a broader concept of cooperation that goes beyond technical interoperability towards semantic interoperability explicitly sharing process definitions, decision support strategies and information semantics.

Genetic markers to discriminate benign and malignant thyroid nodules with undetermined cytology in an area of borderline iodine deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) with cytologic evaluation is the most reliable tool for malignancy prediction in thyroid nodules, but cytologic diagnosis remains undetermined for 20% of nodules. AIM: We investigated the diagnostic potential of a set of 6 marker genes to distinguish benign and malignant thyroid nodules. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The prospective study included 153 thyroid samples obtained by FNA of thyroid nodules from 151 patients (56 benign, 43 malignant, and 54 nodules with undetermined cytology). Gene expression was evaluated by quantitative realtime PCR and statistical analysis of data was performed. All samples were analyzed for V600E BRAF mutation. RESULTS: A decrease in TTF3 and HGD1 expression was observed in malignant nodules with respect to benign ones, while an increase in PLAB expression was demonstrated in these nodules. The decision model was valid for 88 of 99 cases of benign and malignant nodules, with a total of 11 false positive or negative predictions. The obtained malignant/benign phenotype prediction was also valid for 37 of 54 cases of nodules with undetermined cytology with a total of 8 false positive and 9 false negative predictions. V600E BRAF gene mutation was demonstrated in 19/43 malignant nodules, in 0/56 benign nodules, and in 1/54 undetermined nodules. CONCLUSIONS: The expression profiles of genes (TFF3, HGD1, and PLAB) allowed a good prediction for the differentiation of benign thyroid lesions and thyroid cancer starting from cells of FNA; however, this assay showed limitations when applied to discriminate thyroid nodules with undetermined cytology.

Heart rate variability: an index of brain processing in vegetative state? An artificial intelligence, data mining study.

OBJECTIVE: Brain processing at varying levels of functional complexity has been documented in vegetative state. In this study, data mining procedures are applied to identify significant changes in heart rate variability (an emerging objective descriptor of autonomic correlates of brain activation) in response to complex auditory stimuli with emotional value (music). METHODS: The heart rate of subjects in vegetative state from brain damage (n=6) or spontaneous hemorrhage (n=3) and 16 healthy controls was recorded while they passively listened to four pre-selected music samples by different authors (mean recording time: 3m and 36s±24s). The parametric and non-parametric frequency spectra were computed on the heart rate, spectra were compared within/across subjects and music authors, and the spectra descriptors were entered into a 1-R rules data mining procedure (WEKA software Leave One Out and Ten Fold Cross validation). The procedure independently classified the heart rate spectral patterns of both patients and controls and the emotions reported by healthy subjects as "positive" or "negative". RESULTS: In both healthy controls and vegetative state subjects, the power spectra while passively listening to music differed from baseline when compared irrespective of the music authorship and from each other when compared across music samples. Data mining sorted the nu_LF (normalized parameter unit of the spectrum low frequency range) as the significant descriptor of heart rate variability in the conditions of the study. The nu_LF classification of the healthy controls' HRV changes in response to music replicated that based on subjective reports with 75-93.7% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Although preliminary, these findings suggest that autonomic changes with possible emotional value can be induced by complex stimuli also in vegetative state, with implications on the residual responsiveness of these subjects. SIGNIFICANCE: Heart rate variability descriptors and data mining methods appear applicable to investigate brain function in the absence of consciousness.

Prediction of chronic allograft nephropathy using classification trees.

INTRODUCTION: For its intrinsic potential to mine causal relations, machine learning techniques are useful to identify new risk indicators. In this work, we have shown two classification trees to predict chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN), through an evaluation of routine blood and urine tests. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 80 renal transplant patients with 60-month follow-up (mean = 55.20 +/- 12.74) including 52 males and 28 females of overall average age of 41.65 +/- 12.52 years. The primary endpoint was biopsy-proven CAN within 5 years from transplantation (n = 16). Exclusion criteria were multiorgan transplantations, patients aged less than 18 years, graft failure, or patient death in the first 6 months posttransplantation. Classification trees based on the C 4.8 algorithm were used to predict CAN development starting from patient features at transplantation and biochemical test at 6-month follow-up. Model performance was showed as sensitivity (S), false-positive rate (FPR), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: The two class of patients (no CAN versus CAN) showed significant differences in serum creatinine, estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate with Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study formula (MDRD), serum hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, and 24-hour urine protein excretion. Among the 23 evaluated variables, the first model selected six predictors of CAN, showing S = 62.5%, TFP = 7.2%, and AUC = 0.847 (confidence interval [CI] 0.749-0.945). The second model selected four variables, showing S = 81.3%, TFP = 25%, and AUC = 0.824 (CI 0.713-0.934). CONCLUSIONS: Identification models have predicted the onset of multifactorial, complex pathology, like CAN. The use of classification trees represent a valid alternative to traditional statistical models, especially for the evaluation of interactions of risk factors.

Serum cholesterol and psychological distress in hospitalized depressed patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between total serum cholesterol and various psychosocial variables in depressed in-patients. METHOD: One hundred and eighty-six patients had their total fasting serum cholesterol assessed following admission; psychiatric diagnoses were obtained with the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV (SCID) interview. Psychopathology was measured with a clinician rated scale [Montgomery and Asberg Depressive Rating Scale (MADRS)] and a self-rating scale [Symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90)]. RESULTS: Univariate analyses showed lower total serum cholesterol levels being correlated with higher scores in several psychopathological areas. Multivariate analyses indicated that male gender, lower age and higher MADRS scores were the most predictive variables for lower cholesterol levels. CONCLUSION: The data suggest, in this depressed population, an association between serum cholesterol and depressive symptoms. What is the cause and what is its effect is not possible to say from this cross-sectional study.

A comparison of five clock scoring methods using ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of five clock scoring methods for detecting dementia in English-speaking patients. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: A general geriatric outpatient clinic in southwest Sydney, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 127 consecutive new referrals to the clinic, of mean age 78.2 years. MEASUREMENTS: The clock drawing test was conducted at the beginning of each clinic appointment by a blinded observer. Each patient was then assessed by a geriatrician, who collected demographic data, administered the modified Barthel index, the geriatric depression scale, and the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination, and categorised each patient as demented or not demented, according to DSM-4 criteria. Each clock was scored according to the methods of Mendez, Shulman, Sunderland, Watson and Wolf-Klein, and evaluated for reliability, and predictive accuracy, using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The area under the ROC curve was largest for the Shulman (0.79, 95% CI 0.70-0.85) and Mendez (0.78, 95% CI 0.70-0.85) methods. Both predicted dementia more accurately than the Sunderland (area = 0.71) and Watson (area = 0.65) methods (p < 0.05). The inter-rater (0.81-0.93) and intra-rater (0.87-0.96) correlation coefficients were high for all five methods. CONCLUSIONS: While substantial differences among the clock scoring methods were evident in our sample, the accuracy of each was modest at best. Unless further studies in relevant settings suggest otherwise, we caution on the use of clock drawing alone to screen for dementia.

Social adjustment in bipolar and unipolar single-episode and recurrently depressed inpatients.

Social adjustment scores were compared using the Social Adjustment Scale for 24 inpatients with single-episode major depression, 72 with recurrent major depression, and 28 with bipolar disorder. There were no differences between the three groups either in overall score or on single scales.

Extrapyramidal symptoms associated with the adjunct of nortriptyline to a venlafaxine-valproic acid combination.

The onset of extrapyramidal symptoms has been traditionally linked to the prescription of neuroleptic treatment: there are some reports in the international literature describing extrapyramidal effects related to antidepressant. In this paper we present a case under multiple pharmacologic treatment in whom extrapyramidal symptoms developed shortly after the adjunct of nortriptyline to a combination of venlafaxine and valproic acid administered for several months. We describe here the clinical history of this patient, affected by Bipolar Disorder, type II, and the progressive pharmacologic path in his treatment. Possible hypothesis to explain this evidence are discussed.

A century of suicide in Italy: a comparison between the old and the young.

This study analyzes suicide rates from 1887 to 1993 in the Italian population between the ages of 15 and 24 years old and over 65 years of age, based on official data published in the Health Statistics Year Book. The rates of death by suicide (per 100,000) subjects) are calculated for each year and for 10-year periods, as are the mortality rates relative to each method of suicide, standardized by gender. The latter analysis was possible starting from 1951 only, when it became customary to record method. The findings indicate an increase in the suicide phenomenon in the elderly population in Italy over the test period. Rates are at least 3 times higher for men than for women. The highest rates are reported for elderly men, but there appears to have been a greater proportional increase in the number of suicides committed by elderly women. The rise was statistically significant in both males and females. By contrast, a rather constant decrease in suicide rates in young people emerges from the beginning of the century through to the present date. This decrease is more marked in females, although suicide rates are lower for females than for males. Over the study period, substantial changes have come about in the suicide methods used by both young and old people. There was an increase in poisoning by care exhaust fumes, jumping from heights, hanging, and firearms.

Elderly care. A pilot project on opportunistic geriatric assessments in general practice.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a pilot program for systematic assessment of functional status of the elderly in general practice. METHOD: The program was developed in consultation with local GPs and aged care services and introduced to GPs at a workshop. The program was piloted for seven general practitioners with 41 patients, 70 years or older. RESULTS: While many problems had been previously identified by GPs additional problems with: home and social life; activities of daily living and mobility; cognition and depression; general health and medication problems were found in up to 2.5% of patients. CONCLUSION: Opportunistic health assessment of the elderly in general practice is practical and useful in detecting health problems.

[Hematocrit and hemoglobin, parameters of hematic viscosity, in pregnancy-induced hypertension]. / L'ematocrito e l'emoglobina, parametri di viscosità ematica, in corso di ipertensione gravidanza-indotta.

During pregnancy because of physiologic hemodiluition and changes in various plasma protein levels, plasma viscosity is decreased compared to the non pregnant condition. Specifically the whole blood viscosity profile throughout pregnancy follows that of the hematocrit. However some pathological condition like pregnancy induced hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation are characterized by an increase of plasma viscosity. In order to evaluate the effect of plasma viscosity on placental perfusion, in 41 patients affected by pregnancy induced hypertension and with no iron deficiency we compared maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit to the birth weight. High maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were associated to an increased frequency of low weight for date newborns (less than or equal to 10th centile), although the relationship with the hemoglobin levels is stronger (p less than or equal to 0.02) than the one with the hematocrit (p less than or equal to 0.05). In contrast, high weight for date newborns (greater than or equal to 90th centile) were not related to maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit parameters. We found that maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit, indicators of plasma viscosity, are useful in predicting low birth weight, but not high birth weight. We speculate that hypoxia due to the modification of microcirculation is a very important factor in determining the low birth weight; in contrast the oxygen is not the only factor involved in determining the high birth weight.