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Calvano M, Cristalli A, Mele F, Leonardelli M, Musci G, Duma S, Macorano E, Gravili G, De Gabriele G, De Donno A, Introna F. Multiple nail gun injuries: suicide or homicide? Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:443-447. [PMID: 37775593 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03098-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Nail gun injuries are a forensic problem; it can be difficult to distinguish self-inflicted injuries from accident and homicide instances. This kind of injuries shares some characteristics with both gunshot and puncture wounds. We describe a peculiar case of a man who committed suicide driving nails into his skull using a pneumatic nail gun. Entrance wounds were found on both temporal regions of the head. Reviewing scientific literature, this is the first case in Italy reporting the macroscopic data of bilateral head and brain nail gun injuries during an autopsy. Circumstantial elements were not sufficient to clarify if these lesions were self-inflicted, inflicted by accident, or else. Radiological examination can be helpful to show the exact location of the nails, but it has also its own limitations. We firmly believe that autopsy, especially the head section, is crucial to identify the nature and the extension of these lesions, thus giving us much more information about the mechanism of death and the circumstances in which it occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariagrazia Calvano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cristalli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Federica Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Mirko Leonardelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluca Musci
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefano Duma
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Enrica Macorano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluca Gravili
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Gabriele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio De Donno
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124, Bari, Italy
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Pierucci P, de Candia ML, Marzullo A, Mele F, Introna F, Agrisani C, Ingoglia G, Gregoretti C, Carpagnano GE. The eye may be the spy of injury related to NIV interface and prone positioning. Pulmonology 2024; 30:192-194. [PMID: 35798639 PMCID: PMC9252870 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- P Pierucci
- A. Cardiothoracic Department, Respiratory and Critical Care Unit Bari Policlinic University Hospital, B. Section of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Basic Medical Science Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro'
| | - M L de Candia
- A. Cardiothoracic Department, Respiratory and Critical Care Unit Bari Policlinic University Hospital, B. Section of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Basic Medical Science Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro'.
| | - A Marzullo
- Pathology Division, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari
| | - F Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - F Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - C Agrisani
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - G Ingoglia
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Science (Di.Chir.On.S.), University of Palermo, Department of Anesthesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico Paolo Giaccone, Palermo, Italy
| | - C Gregoretti
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Science (Di.Chir.On.S.), University, of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; G. Giglio Fundation, Cefal, Palermo, Italy
| | - G E Carpagnano
- A. Cardiothoracic Department, Respiratory and Critical Care Unit Bari Policlinic University Hospital, B. Section of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Basic Medical Science Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro'
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Cova I, Mele F, Nicotra A, Maestri G, Cucumo V, Pomati S, Salvadori E, Pantoni L. The Luigi Sacco Hospital VAS-COG stroke care pathway: A five-year experience. Cereb Circ Cogn Behav 2024; 6:100210. [PMID: 38357360 PMCID: PMC10865214 DOI: 10.1016/j.cccb.2024.100210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Psycho-cognitive consequences are a frequent cause of disability in stroke survivors but are often underdiagnosed also because of lack of services dedicated to these aspects. We started assessing systematically cognitive and behavioral functions in acute stroke patients and to follow them up. Here, we report a retrospective analysis of the organization of the Sacco VAS-COG stroke care pathway and the refinements implemented during 5 years of activity. Methods The protocol includes baseline collection of clinical history, general and neurologic examinations, functional, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging assessment. At follow-up, a diagnosis of cognitive decline was made based on best clinical judgment in the first period (January 2018 to May 2019, namely VAS-COG protocol 1.0) and then based on an extensive neuropsychological battery (May 2019 to January 2023, namely VASCOG protocol 2.0); psychiatric and behavioral disturbances are investigated through suitable scales. Results From January 2018 to December 2022, 834 patients (mean age 76±13.6 years; 46.6 % females) with acute cerebrovascular events were admitted to the stroke unit, mostly (80 %) for ischemic strokes. Pre-event cognitive impairment was not assessable in 78 patients (9.3 %) because no reliable informant was present and was reported in 327/756 (43 %) patients. During follow-up, post-stroke cognitive impairment was detected in 124/217 (57.1 %) patients in VAS-COG protocol 1.0 and in 137/201(68.2 %) patients in VAS-COG protocol 2.0, while 95/218 (43.2 %) patients were found to be depressed and patients presented on average 2.5 neuropsychiatric symptoms on Neuropsychiatric Inventory-questionnaire. Conclusions The VAS-COG stroke care pathway represents a model for patients and for their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. Cova
- Neurology Unit, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - F. Mele
- Neurology Unit, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - A. Nicotra
- Neurology Unit, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - G. Maestri
- Neurology Unit, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - V. Cucumo
- Neurology Unit, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - S. Pomati
- Neurology Unit, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - E. Salvadori
- Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Giovanni Battista Grassi 7, Milano 20157, Italy
| | - L. Pantoni
- Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Giovanni Battista Grassi 7, Milano 20157, Italy
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Macorano E, Mele F, Calvano M, Leonardelli M, Duma S, De Gabriele G, Guerra MG, Galantucci LM, Introna F, Santoro V. Reverse engineering in forensic investigations: a new approach to bite mark analysis. J Forensic Odontostomatol 2023; 41:45-51. [PMID: 38183971 PMCID: PMC10859075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
The study of bite marks provides crucial elements that contribute towards identifying the biter. In many cases, it assumes importance when bite marks are detected on the body of a victim of violence, but it could also be relevant when the bite marks are seen on food substances at the crime scene. In both circumstances, comparing the bite marks with a suspect's dentition can be decisive in confirming or excluding the culpability. In this case report, a bun (bread roll) with the sign of a bite was found at the crime scene. We report a pilot study using 3D reproduction of the bite mark on the bun and dental models of the alleged biter and the victim. A reverse engineering process was used to obtain digital 3D models of the bitten bun and the dental models by taking numerous photographs and stitching them together using a software called Metashape by Agisoft. The last step was to compare the bitemark to the two dental models, evaluating the spatial distance, the degree of overlap, and the degree of interpenetration. The results confirmed the usefulness of reverse engineering in forensic investigations showing the compatibility between the victim's teeth and the bite mark on the bun.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Macorano
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Bari University, Italy
| | - F Mele
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Bari University, Italy
| | - M Calvano
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Bari University, Italy
| | - M Leonardelli
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Bari University, Italy
| | - S Duma
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Bari University, Italy
| | - G De Gabriele
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Bari University, Italy
| | - M G Guerra
- Department of Mechanics, Mathematics, and Management, Polytechnic of Bari, Italy
| | - L M Galantucci
- Department of Mechanics, Mathematics, and Management, Polytechnic of Bari, Italy
| | - F Introna
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Bari University, Italy
| | - V Santoro
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Bari University, Italy
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Mele F, Introna F, Santoro V. Child abuse and neglect: oral and dental signs and the role of the dentist. J Forensic Odontostomatol 2023; 41:21-29. [PMID: 37634173 PMCID: PMC10473457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Historically, the law, dental and forensic literature has included numerous articles concerning abused children. The orofacial structures are injured frequently in the maltreated child. Injuries of the neck, head, face, and oral cavity represent the most affected areas of the victim's body that routinely sustain physical trauma in child maltreatment cases. This literature review aimed to report the state of art of child abuse from the point of view of the dentist with focus on studies in dental aspects of child abuse and neglect of the last ten years. Considering the time slot, 20 papers were included with the following inclusion criteria: papers published in English, all keywords included in the title, articles available on PubMed. Many of the injuries are within the scope of dentistry or easily observed by the dental professional during routine dental treatment, and it is essential that the dentist recognizes them. Concerning neglect, it is appropriate to make a distinction between deliberate parental behavior that has the consequence of unavoidable and voluntary neglect towards their children and those conditions of involuntary carelessness determined by socio-economic and cultural factors such as family isolation, lack of finances, parental ignorance, or lack of perceived value of oral health. Therefore, it is relevant that the dentist pays attention to the cases to report and those that only need help.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Mele
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), University of Bari, Italy
| | - F Introna
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), University of Bari, Italy
| | - V Santoro
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), University of Bari, Italy
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Leonardelli M, Mele F, Marrone M, Germinario CA, Tafuri S, Moscara L, Bianchi FP, Stefanizzi P. The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Vaccination Hesitancy: A Viewpoint. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1191. [PMID: 37515007 PMCID: PMC10386622 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination hesitancy is considered by the World Health Organization as a danger to global health. In recent years, vaccine hesitancy rates to COVID-19 have been studied worldwide. In our study, we aim to provide an overview of the concept of vaccine hesitancy, with regard to the post-COVID era, and to provide prevention and management strategies. A search of the international literature until March 2023 was conducted in the PubMed database. The 5723 papers found were divided into two groups: prior to the COVID-19 era and from 2021 onward. Papers about the vaccine hesitation phenomenon are becoming more common during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and following the marketing that the vaccine companies have carried out on the different types of COVID-19 vaccines. It is advisable that healthcare authorities, at the national and international level, as well as healthcare professionals, at the local level, should promote a series of activities to reduce the vaccine hesitancy rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Leonardelli
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Mele
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Maricla Marrone
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Silvio Tafuri
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Lorenza Moscara
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Stefanizzi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Leonardelli M, Mele F, Calvano M, Macorano E, Duma S, De Gabriele G, Introna F. Lethal event in diving with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus: A forensic study. Undersea Hyperb Med 2023; 50:105-110. [PMID: 37302075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Introduction In fatal accidents during scuba diving, it is necessary to differentiate a death from primary drowning from a secondary drowning death that is primarily due to other etiopathogenetic factors. The inhalation of water can only be the end point of a series of events capable of causing the diver's exitus. This study aims to demonstrate that even low-risk heart disease in daily life become potentially fatal during scuba diving. Methods In this case series, we describe all cases of deaths in the course of diving that came to the observation of the Forensic Institute of the University Bari over 20 years (2000-2020). A judicial autopsy was performed on all subjects, with ancillary execution of histological and toxicological investigations. Results The results of the medicolegal investigations carried out in the complex identified heart failure with acute myocardial infarction as the cause of death in four cases characterized by severe myocardiocoronarosclerosis, a primary drowning in a subject without previous pathological substrate in one case, and a terminal atrial fibrillation induced by acute dynamic heart failure due to functional overload of the right ventricle in one case. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that lethal events during diving are often related to the presence of unrecognized or subclinical cardiovascular diseases. Such deaths could be prevented and avoided if a greater regulatory sensitivity to preventing and controlling diving was encouraged, considering both the inherent risks of this activity and the possible unrecognized or underestimated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Leonardelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Calvano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Enrica Macorano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefano Duma
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Gabriele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Macorano E, Gentile M, Stellacci G, Manzionna M, Mele F, Calvano M, Leonardelli M, Duma S, De Gabriele G, Cristalli A, Minella R, Di Fazio A, Introna F. 'Compressed Baby Head': A New 'Abusive Head Trauma' Entity? Children (Basel) 2023; 10:1003. [PMID: 37371236 DOI: 10.3390/children10061003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child abuse represents an important issue in the medico-legal and social context. In the last few decades, various aspects and mechanisms have been identified in child abuse case studies; however, constant research is needed in the field. With this paper, the authors will present a case of a new entity of Abusive Head Trauma that has come to the attention of medico-legal experts. DISCUSSION The trauma analysis performed on the cranio-encephalic district of the baby revealed quite peculiar lesions that led the authors to exclude that the injuries had been solely caused by violent shaking of the baby's head, as suggested by Shaken Baby Syndrome. Instead, the authors hypothesised that another lesion mechanism had been added to this one, namely latero-lateral cranial compression. The comprehensive and exhaustive analysis of the case led the authors to present a new possible entity in child abuse trauma, namely 'Compressed Baby Head'. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, in the current literature, no similar clinical cases have ever been described. Thus, the case's uniqueness deserves to be brought to the attention of experts and the entire scientific community, as well as medical personnel, paediatricians, and reanimators. These professional figures are the first individuals who may encounter complex clinical cases such as the one presented in this paper; thus, they need to know how to properly manage the case and ensure protection for the abused infants and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Macorano
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Mattia Gentile
- Medical Genetics, Maternal and Child Department, Hospital of Venus, 70012 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Mariano Manzionna
- Complex Operating Unit, Paediatric and Neonatology, San Paolo Hospital, ASL Bari, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Mele
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Calvano
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Mirko Leonardelli
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Stefano Duma
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Gabriele
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cristalli
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Raffaella Minella
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 5UX, UK
| | - Aldo Di Fazio
- Regional Complex Intercompany Institute of Legal Medicine, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Francesco Introna
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
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Mele F, Leonardelli M, Duma S, Angeletti C, Cazzato G, Lupo C, Gorini E, Pomara C, Dell'Erba A, Marrone M. Requests for Compensation in Cases Involving Patients' Falls in Healthcare Settings: A Retrospective Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11091290. [PMID: 37174832 PMCID: PMC10178431 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11091290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Falls are the most frequent adverse events recorded in healthcare facilities. By employing a multifaceted strategy to ensure prevention interventions that are specific to the patient type and environmental risk management, risk factor evaluation may help to reduce falls in the hospital setting. Patient falls are one of the main causes of lawsuits against hospitals, which has led to the development of validated instruments that are beneficial in treating the patient after the incident and effective in minimizing the frequency of falls. The aim of our study is to evaluate compensation claims asserting healthcare culpability in situations where a patient fell in a hospital setting. The collected data relate to judgments issued in Italy until December 2022 regarding 30 episodes of falls that occurred between 2003 and 2018. Our research revealed that approximately 50% of Italian healthcare organizations lose the case in court when a patient falls in a hospital setting and dies or is injured. In half of these cases, the failure of the medical staff to use protective equipment against falls is what led to the court's acceptance of the compensation claim. In order to improve the quality of healthcare services, fall prevention techniques must continue to be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Mele
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Mirko Leonardelli
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Stefano Duma
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Angeletti
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Gerardo Cazzato
- Section of Molecular Pathology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), School of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Carmelo Lupo
- Innovation Department, Diapath S.p.A., Via Savoldini n. 71, 24057 Martinengo, Italy
| | - Ettore Gorini
- Department of Economics and Finance, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Cristoforo Pomara
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Dell'Erba
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Maricla Marrone
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
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Bianchi FP, Bianchi FP, Cuscianna E, Di Lorenzo A, Daleno A, Mele F, Marra M, Porfido R, Migliore G, Tafuri S. A new paradigm of hospital care for SARS-COV-2 patients in the post-emergency phase in Italy. Ann Ig 2023; 35:250-253. [PMID: 36222605 DOI: 10.7416/ai.2022.2546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Abstract In Italy, at the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the main organizational model of hospital care was represented by the physical or functional division of hospitals and wards into COVID and non-COVID areas, in order to separate SARS-CoV-2-infected patients from the others. Now that the emergency phase has reached its long-awaited end, it is necessary to develop a new hospital care paradigm that may deal with SARS-CoV-2-positive patients discriminating between those who are hospitalized because of COVID-19 and those who are diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection immediately before or after the first access to healthcare facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- F P Bianchi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Italy
| | - F P Bianchi
- Bari Policlinico General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - E Cuscianna
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Italy
| | - A Di Lorenzo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Italy
| | - A Daleno
- Bari Policlinico General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - F Mele
- Bari Policlinico General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - M Marra
- Bari Policlinico General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - R Porfido
- Bari Policlinico General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - G Migliore
- Bari Policlinico General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - S Tafuri
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Italy
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Marrone M, Caricato P, Mele F, Leonardelli M, Duma S, Gorini E, Stellacci A, Bavaro DF, Diella L, Saracino A, Dell'Erba A, Tafuri S. Analysis of Italian requests for compensation in cases of responsibility for healthcare-related infections: A retrospective study. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1078719. [PMID: 36684913 PMCID: PMC9849901 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1078719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of this study was to examine the type of compensation claims for alleged medical malpractice in the field of healthcare-related infections in Italy. Methods It was analyzed which was the most frequent clinical context, the characteristics of the disputes established, which were the alleged damages most often complained of, which were the possibly censurable behaviors of the health professionals, and which were the reasons for acceptance or rejection of the request for compensation. Results In 90.2%, the issue questioned regarded surgical site infections. The most common pathogens involved were coagulase-negative Staphylococci (34.1%) and Staphylococcus aureus (24.4%). The lack or non-adherence to protocols of prophylaxis and/or prevention of healthcare-related infections was the most reported cause of acceptance of the request of compensation. Discussion According to our data, a stronger effort should be made in terms of risk management perspective in order to ensure the develop and application of protocols for prevention of Gram-positive healthcare-related infections and strengthen infection control and antimicrobial stewardship programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricla Marrone
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Caricato
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Mele
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Mirko Leonardelli
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefano Duma
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Ettore Gorini
- Attorney of Supreme Court, Department of Economics and Finance, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Stellacci
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Davide Fiore Bavaro
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Lucia Diella
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa Saracino
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Dell'Erba
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Silvio Tafuri
- Section of Public Health, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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12
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Mele F, Tafuri S, Stefanizzi P, D Amati A, Calvano M, Leonardelli M, Macorano E, Duma S, De Gabriele G, Introna F, De Donno A. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis after COVID-19 vaccination and congenital deficiency of coagulation factors: Is there a correlation? Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2095166. [PMID: 35895937 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2095166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In January 2020, SARS-COV-2 infection spread worldwide and was declared "pandemic" by WHO. Because of the high contagiousness of the virus and devastating effects of the epidemic on public health, numerous efforts have been made to develop suitable vaccines to prevent the infection. Among the side effects developed by patients who undergone vaccination, there are common symptoms but also more serious reactions such as the thrombosis syndromes. This paper presents two cases of thrombosis temporally associated with live-vectored Covid vaccination similar to vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia (VITT) in patients with inherited thrombophilia (respectively, the deficiency of protein S and a Factor II mutation). The clinical manifestation caused by VITT is characterized by widespread thrombosis especially affecting intracranial venous sinus, which may cause massive bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage. Although this condition is widely described in literature, there is no evident correlation between this side effect and inherited condition of thrombophilia. The authors suggest that the presence of inherited thrombophilia should be better investigated and, if necessary, screened during the anamnestic data collection before the vaccine administration, leading the healthcare professional to choose the appropriate vaccine to the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Silvio Tafuri
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Stefanizzi
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio D Amati
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Pathology, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Calvano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Mirko Leonardelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Enrica Macorano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefano Duma
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Gabriele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio De Donno
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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13
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Mele F, De Donno A, Sablone S, Leggio A, Introna F, Santoro V. Dental evidence of human remains of a Slavic soldier population deported in concentration camps during World War II. Anthropol Anz 2022; 79:475-480. [PMID: 35403660 DOI: 10.1127/anthranz/2022/1547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this paper was to analyse post-mortem dental records of a collection of 93 skeletal remains exhumed from the ossuary of Bari Municipal Cemetery, Apulia, Italy. These skeletal remains belonged to Slavic soldiers deported in 1941 during World War II in two Italian concentration camps and who died in 1946-1947. Methods: A total number of 1949 teeth were analysed according to the American Board of Forensic Odontology and the WHO methods. The majority of the victims were men (95%) between the age of 18 and 62. Results: The results showed the dental health situation of a population of soldiers of World War II, in particular the high rate of caries (35%), periodontal disease (61%), and dental wear (65%) according to the high stress level of the soldiers during the armed conflict and the subsequent deportation. Conclusions: This is the first study reported in literature that analyses the effects of war and deportation on soldiers' pathological conditions of the oral cavity. This analysis also confirmed the usefulness of teeth for anthropological and forensic research thanks to their high resistance and preservation even after post-mortem modifications and different environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio De Donno
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Sara Sablone
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Leggio
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Valeria Santoro
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy
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14
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Mele F, Buongiorno L, Montalbò D, Ferorelli D, Solarino B, Zotti F, Carabellese FF, Catanesi R, Bertolino A, Dell'Erba A, Mandarelli G. Reporting Incidents in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study in an Italian University Hospital. J Nerv Ment Dis 2022; 210:622-628. [PMID: 35394976 PMCID: PMC10860884 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT To evaluate the characteristics of the reported workplace violence in a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) by analyzing an electronic hospital incident reporting system (IRS). One hundred thirty reports were retrieved from January 2017 to June 2020, referring to assaults committed by patients (71% males) with an average age of 29.8 years (SD, 14.9). The most frequent psychiatric diagnosis was a neurodevelopmental disorder (33%). Physical aggression (84%) was more frequent than the other types of aggression. Nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel were the most frequent victims (65%). Aggressions were more frequent on Friday (18%) and between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (35%). A total of 64.9% of the incidents happened in the first 5 days of hospitalization. A significant association between physical aggression and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorder emerged. IRS could be helpful to identify high-risk patient groups and develop clinical strategies to reduce adverse events in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Mele
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine
| | - Luigi Buongiorno
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine
| | | | - Davide Ferorelli
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine
| | - Biagio Solarino
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine
| | - Fiorenza Zotti
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine
| | - Felice Francesco Carabellese
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Catanesi
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Gabriele Mandarelli
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, Bari, Italy
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15
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Mele F, Santoro V, Sablone S, Logrado D, Berterame C, Calvano M, Leonardelli M, Macorano E, Duma S, Introna MG, Introna F, De Donno A. Prevention of COVID-19 transmission from deceased subject: A critical point of view. J Glob Health 2022; 12:03037. [PMID: 35841610 PMCID: PMC9288234 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.12.03037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Valeria Santoro
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Sara Sablone
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Diana Logrado
- National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, South Branch, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Caterina Berterame
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Calvano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Mirko Leonardelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Enrica Macorano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefano Duma
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marina G Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio De Donno
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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16
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Corriero A, Ribezzi M, Mele F, Angrisani C, Romaniello F, Daleno A, Loconsole D, Centrone F, Chironna M, Brienza N. COVID-19 Variants in Critically Ill Patients: A Comparison of the Delta and Omicron Variant Profiles. Infect Dis Rep 2022; 14:492-500. [PMID: 35735762 PMCID: PMC9222818 DOI: 10.3390/idr14030052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease is a pandemic that has disrupted many human lives, threatening people's physical and mental health. Each pandemic wave struck in different ways, infectiveness-wise and mortality-wise. This investigation focuses on critically ill patients affected by the last two variants, Delta and Omicron, and aims to analyse if any difference exists between the two groups. METHODS intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 consecutive admissions between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022 were recorded daily, and data concerning the patients' demographics, variants, main comorbidities, ICU parameters on admission, and the outcome were analysed by a univariate procedure and by a multivariate analysis. RESULTS 65 patients were enrolled, 31 (47.69%) belonging to the Omicron versus 34 (52.31%) to the Delta group. The mortality rate was 52.94% for the Omicron group versus 41.9% for the Delta group. A univariate analysis showed that the Omicron variant was associated with total comorbidities number, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), pre-existing pulmonary disease, vaccination status, and acute kidney injury (AKI). In stepwise multivariate analysis, the total number of comorbidities was positively associated with the Omicron group, while pulmonary embolism was negatively correlated with the Omicron group. CONCLUSION Omicron appears to have lost some of the hallmarks of the Delta variant, such as endothelialitis and more limited cellular tropism when it comes to the patients in the ICU. Further studies are encouraged to explore different therapeutic approaches to treat critical patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Corriero
- Unit of Anesthesia and Resuscitation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (N.B.)
| | - Mario Ribezzi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Intensive Care Unit Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Federica Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.M.); (C.A.)
| | - Carmelinda Angrisani
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.M.); (C.A.)
| | - Fabio Romaniello
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Antonio Daleno
- Hospital Direction, Azienda Universitaria Ospedaliera Consorziale Policlinico Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Daniela Loconsole
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Francesca Centrone
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Maria Chironna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Nicola Brienza
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Intensive Care Unit Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (N.B.)
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17
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De Donno A, Mele F, Angrisani C, Maselli R, Cozzolino M, Pedote P, Introna F, Santoro V. Facial approximation for identification purposes: soft tissue thickness in a Caucasian population. Sex and age-related variations. J Forensic Odontostomatol 2022; 40:34-41. [PMID: 35499535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to collect soft tissue thickness (STT) values of an Italian population from 12 bone landmarks, to improve the facial approximation process for identification purposes. 100 Italian adults (50 males and 50 females), who had undergone head CT for clinical purposes, were analysed in order to expand the database of the Italian population. Average values, standard deviation and range were collected according to gender and age and the obtained values were statistically analysed in order to evaluate any possible significant difference. Only one landmark was statistically significant associated with sex, females showed significantly higher values for para-zygomaxillary. Two landmarks were statistically significant associated with age, upper incisor and pogonion. The obtained results were compared with the existing literature. Such information can be useful in the forensic craniofacial reconstruction process and can facilitate choosing the most suitable STT values according to osteological analysis of the human remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- A De Donno
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - F Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - C Angrisani
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - R Maselli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - M Cozzolino
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - P Pedote
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - F Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - V Santoro
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
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18
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Mele F, Mandarelli G, Bottari G, Solarino B. Parachuting fatality: A case report video-recorded. Forensic Science International: Reports 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2021.100220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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19
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Vitrone M, Mele F, Durante-Mangoni E, Zampino R. Drugs and liver injury: a not to be overlooked binomial in COVID-19. J Chemother 2021; 34:207-220. [PMID: 34644236 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2021.1988203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) results predominantly in pulmonary involvement but a direct, virus-induced liver damage may also occur, whose mechanisms are being actively investigated. Accordingly, it appears of utmost importance to monitor liver function and carefully evaluate hepatic safety of the various drugs administered during COVID-19. In this respect, many drugs, biological agents and novel molecules, whose efficacy in COVID-19 is under scrutiny, have also been shown to potentially cause or worsen liver damage. In this article, we review safety data of established as well as promising agents for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vitrone
- Department of Advanced Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - F Mele
- Department of Advanced Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - E Durante-Mangoni
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Unit of Infectious and Transplant Medicine, AORN Ospedali dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - R Zampino
- Department of Advanced Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Unit of Infectious and Transplant Medicine, AORN Ospedali dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
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20
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Selva J, Lorito S, Volpe M, Romano F, Tonini R, Perfetti P, Bernardi F, Taroni M, Scala A, Babeyko A, Løvholt F, Gibbons SJ, Macías J, Castro MJ, González-Vida JM, Sánchez-Linares C, Bayraktar HB, Basili R, Maesano FE, Tiberti MM, Mele F, Piatanesi A, Amato A. Probabilistic tsunami forecasting for early warning. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5677. [PMID: 34584083 PMCID: PMC8479076 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25815-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tsunami warning centres face the challenging task of rapidly forecasting tsunami threat immediately after an earthquake, when there is high uncertainty due to data deficiency. Here we introduce Probabilistic Tsunami Forecasting (PTF) for tsunami early warning. PTF explicitly treats data- and forecast-uncertainties, enabling alert level definitions according to any predefined level of conservatism, which is connected to the average balance of missed-vs-false-alarms. Impact forecasts and resulting recommendations become progressively less uncertain as new data become available. Here we report an implementation for near-source early warning and test it systematically by hindcasting the great 2010 M8.8 Maule (Chile) and the well-studied 2003 M6.8 Zemmouri-Boumerdes (Algeria) tsunamis, as well as all the Mediterranean earthquakes that triggered alert messages at the Italian Tsunami Warning Centre since its inception in 2015, demonstrating forecasting accuracy over a wide range of magnitudes and earthquake types.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Selva
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - S Lorito
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - M Volpe
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - F Romano
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - R Tonini
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - P Perfetti
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Bernardi
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - M Taroni
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - A Scala
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - A Babeyko
- German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Potsdam, Germany
| | - F Løvholt
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway
| | - S J Gibbons
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway
| | - J Macías
- Grupo EDANYA, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - M J Castro
- Grupo EDANYA, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | | | | | - H B Bayraktar
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - R Basili
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - F E Maesano
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - M M Tiberti
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - F Mele
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - A Piatanesi
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - A Amato
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
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21
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De Donno A, Maselli R, Mele F, Angrisani C, Cozzolino M, Pedote P, Introna F, Santoro V. Sex determination through the evaluation of sella turcica measurements using head CT scan. Homo 2021; 72:53-60. [PMID: 33620370 DOI: 10.1127/homo/2021/1341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The estimation of age and sex is mandatory in forensic identification of unknown skeletal remains and it could be reached analyzing different bones' features. The morphometric evaluation of Sella turcica is less described in literature. Many studies have been published in this field for age estimation but none of them based on head CT scan measurement. Previous studies were carried out for age estimation on different populations, but any study has been carried out on the Italian population. Furthermore, no studies were carried out with CT scan technology for the correlation between sex and Sella turcica. Thanks to CT scan technology it has been possible to measure sella turcica's dimensions in an easier way than previous methods, to detect more accurate parameters and even introduce a new one. In this study, the sample was composed of 115 adults, 53 males, and 62 females. Five different measurements of the sellae turcicae were taken. The purpose of this study was to find new elements for sex assessment with the evaluation of sella turcica measurements, improving previous studies, analyzing an Italian European sample. In this study, results of the statistical analysis showed correlation between sex and sella turcica's parameter "Length of Sella Turcica" for which grater values are related to male gender. In conclusion, the Authors consider this unexpected result useful for sex determination in association with other parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio De Donno
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy; ; ; ;
| | - Roberto Maselli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy; ; ; ;
| | - Federica Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy; ; ; ;
| | - Carmelinda Angrisani
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy; ; ; ;
| | - Monica Cozzolino
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Diagnostic Imaging Section, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy; ;
| | - Pasquale Pedote
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Diagnostic Imaging Section, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy; ;
| | - Francesco Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Head of the Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy;
| | - Valeria Santoro
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 70124, Bari, Italy; ; ; ;
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Favia M, Mele F, Introna F, De Donno A. Morphological cardiac changes in electrocution deaths: A literature review. Med Sci Law 2021; 61:130-135. [PMID: 33591865 DOI: 10.1177/0025802420967539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Electrical injury may lead to damage to the conducting tissue, myocardial changes and even sudden cardiac death. Victims of low-voltage electrocution may have no electric marks, burns or other signs typical of electrical injuries. In these cases, the absence of other specific findings could make the identification of the cause of death very difficult. A broad spectrum of cardiac changes in cases of electrocution has been described in the literature, including the break-up of myocardial fibres, cardiomyolysis, haemorrhagic areas, the separation of myofibres and alternating hypercontracted-hyperdistended myocytes. All the described alterations, however, cannot be exclusively attributed to electrocution, since no specific morphological cardiac findings have so far been identified in electrocution. However, a few histological patterns recur, and their knowledge may be important for the forensic pathologist. This literature review describes the main pathological patterns observed in cases of fatal electrocution based on a literature search carried out up to September 2019 in the databases PubMed and Scopus. The search criteria included the keywords for cardiac lesions and electrocution. On the grounds of the literature data, a list of major and minor diagnostic markers for the passage of the electrical current through the heart tissue was created.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Favia
- Department of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Mele
- Department of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, Italy
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De Donno A, Angrisani C, Mele F, Introna F, Santoro V. Dental age estimation: Demirjian's versus the other methods in different populations. A literature review. Med Sci Law 2021; 61:125-129. [PMID: 33591866 DOI: 10.1177/0025802420934253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Age estimation is an important issue in forensic anthropology and odontology, since it is applied to both the living and the dead. Studies have shown that assessing tooth development using radiological methods is a reliable way to estimate age, especially in children. Demirjian's method is the most widely used estimation method for dental age evaluation. Over the years, many methods have been developed in order to asses which one predicts more accurately the age. In the literature, many populations were examined with these different methods and discordant results are described. This review aims to evaluate the studies in which Demirjian's method was compared with Willems', Cameriere's, Nolla's, Smith's, Haavikko's and Chaillet's methods in order to estimate the most accurate dental age estimation method in different populations. Using the methodology described in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement, the authors conducted a review of existing literature using three databases: PubMed, Google Scholar and Google Scopus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Federica Mele
- Department of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, Italy
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Mele F, Santoro V, Lauretti C, Favia M, Angrisani C, Introna F, De Donno A. Soft-tissue thickness values using cone beam computed tomography: A literature review. Med Sci Law 2021; 61:136-140. [PMID: 33591867 DOI: 10.1177/0025802420919537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
When human remains are found, with no evidence of identity, facial approximation can be a useful technique to employ. The reconstruction of the ante-mortem appearance can reproduce the likely features of the face, starting from the skull, based on the overlying soft-tissue thickness. Over the years, many techniques have been developed to achieve soft-tissue thickness measurements, one of which is based on the use of cone beam computed tomography. This study aimed to review the status of this technique and to evaluate heterogeneity among studies undertaken in this field, with particular regard to determination of landmarks, sex and body mass index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Valeria Santoro
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Lauretti
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Matteo Favia
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Carmelinda Angrisani
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio De Donno
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Italy
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De Donno A, Mele F, Baldassarra SL, Martini A, Lauretti C, Favia M, Introna F, Santoro V. DNA extraction from sternum bone for identification of a saponified body: use of a modified protocol. Anthropol Anz 2020; 77:235-242. [PMID: 32211746 DOI: 10.1127/anthranz/2020/1162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This paper discusses our approach and results obtained when attempting to identify a saponified human body recovered from the sea, without arms and legs. Bones, especially the long ones, are the only sources of DNA available in several cases involving unidentified bodies in advanced state of putrefaction. In this case, since the body was found without limbs, attempts were made to extract DNA from the sternum bone. The DNA was extracted using a modified version of the NucleoSpin® DNA Trace Kit (Macherey Nagel™) protocol and an STR analysis was performed. Thanks to this modified protocol a complete DNA profile was obtained from the sternum bone, while only partial results were obtained from blood and teeth. The DNA profile obtained from the sternum was compared with the DNA of the putative son searching for a genetic match. Five incompatibilities were detected so it was possible to exclude the kinship. In conclusion this could be a useful technique in personal identification through DNA analysis in case of poor quality and quantity of bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio De Donno
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Lonero Baldassarra
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Martini
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Lauretti
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Matteo Favia
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Valeria Santoro
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Ferorelli D, Donno F, De Giorgio G, Mele F, Favia M, Riefoli F, Andresciani S, Melodia R, Zotti F, Dell'Erba A. Head CT scan in emergency room: Is it still abused? Quantification and causes analysis of overprescription in an Italian Emergency Department. Radiol Med 2020; 125:595-599. [PMID: 32048156 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-020-01143-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the increasing prescription of diagnostic imaging has been noted, due to advances in imaging technology and the development of defensive medicine. Overuse of diagnostic imaging significantly impacts the quality and costs of health care. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify overprescription and investigate its causes through the evaluation of head computer tomography (CT) scan prescriptions. In this study, a set of 100 requests of CT scans was collected and analysed by three experts in guidelines and scientific evidences, evaluating prescription appropriateness. Then, the rate of overprescription was quantified and its causes identified as incorrect adoption of guidelines indications (32%) and as defensive medicine (6%). Therefore, in order to reduce inappropriate investigations, the findings of the present study suggest that the reduction in overprescription could be reached through the improvement of training of health personnel and the propagation of a no-blame culture aimed at minimizing defensive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ferorelli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy. .,Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Francesca Donno
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianni De Giorgio
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Mele
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Matteo Favia
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Flavia Riefoli
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, Orthopaedics Unit, University of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Rosa Melodia
- Emergency Room Unit, Bari General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Fiorenza Zotti
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Dell'Erba
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy
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Santoro V, Mele F, Introna F, De Donno A. Personal identification through digital photo superimposition of dental profile: a pilot study. J Forensic Odontostomatol 2019; 37:21-26. [PMID: 31894134 PMCID: PMC7442964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The usefulness of teeth for personal identification lies mainly in their vast individual variability, making them virtually unique for every subject. Odontological identification represents a reliable and important complement to forensic inquiries, in particular in the event of unidentifiable human remains. However, this technique is based on the availability of ante-mortem records containing significant evidence. In the absence of dental records, the only available ante-mortem elements are often photographs. In the present study, dental profile photographs of selected smiling subjects were compared to the relevant plaster study models through digital image analysis. In order to ascertain the reliability of the technique, the comparison was carried out both in a homologous and heterologous manner with the Facecomp software. The results confirm the ability of Facecomp software to identify even the smallest variations in dental elements to reach a positive identification. The method is useful in forensic practice since a forensic inquiry may obtain plaster models from cadavers for comparison with photographs of missing people's anterior teeth.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Santoro
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - F Mele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - F Introna
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - A De Donno
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Ciavarella S, Vegliante MC, Fabbri M, De Summa S, Melle F, Motta G, De Iuliis V, Opinto G, Enjuanes A, Rega S, Gulino A, Agostinelli C, Scattone A, Tommasi S, Mangia A, Mele F, Simone G, Zito AF, Ingravallo G, Vitolo U, Chiappella A, Tarella C, Gianni AM, Rambaldi A, Zinzani PL, Casadei B, Derenzini E, Loseto G, Pileri A, Tabanelli V, Fiori S, Rivas-Delgado A, López-Guillermo A, Venesio T, Sapino A, Campo E, Tripodo C, Guarini A, Pileri SA. Dissection of DLBCL microenvironment provides a gene expression-based predictor of survival applicable to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Ann Oncol 2019; 30:2015. [PMID: 31539020 PMCID: PMC6938597 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S Ciavarella
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - M C Vegliante
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - M Fabbri
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan
| | - S De Summa
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - F Melle
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan
| | - G Motta
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan
| | - V De Iuliis
- Post-graduated Medical School of Clinical Pathology, "Gabriele D'Annunzio", University of Chieti, Chieti
| | - G Opinto
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - A Enjuanes
- Unitat de Genòmica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona; CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Rega
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - A Gulino
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Dipartimento per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo
| | - C Agostinelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Bologna University School of Medicine, Bologna
| | - A Scattone
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - S Tommasi
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - A Mangia
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - F Mele
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - G Simone
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - A F Zito
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - G Ingravallo
- Pathology Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari
| | - U Vitolo
- Department of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino
| | - A Chiappella
- Department of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino
| | - C Tarella
- Onco-Hematology Unit, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan
| | - A M Gianni
- Onco-Hematology Unit, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan
| | - A Rambaldi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo; School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - P L Zinzani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Bologna University School of Medicine, Bologna
| | - B Casadei
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Bologna University School of Medicine, Bologna
| | - E Derenzini
- Onco-Hematology Unit, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan
| | - G Loseto
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - A Pileri
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Bologna University School of Medicine, Bologna
| | - V Tabanelli
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan
| | - S Fiori
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan
| | - A Rivas-Delgado
- CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain; Hematology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona; IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A López-Guillermo
- CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain; Hematology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona; IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - T Venesio
- Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - A Sapino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - E Campo
- CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain; Haematopathology Unit, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Tripodo
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - A Guarini
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari
| | - S A Pileri
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan
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Ciavarella S, Vegliante MC, Fabbri M, De Summa S, Melle F, Motta G, De Iuliis V, Opinto G, Enjuanes A, Rega S, Gulino A, Agostinelli C, Scattone A, Tommasi S, Mangia A, Mele F, Simone G, Zito AF, Ingravallo G, Vitolo U, Chiappella A, Tarella C, Gianni AM, Rambaldi A, Zinzani PL, Casadei B, Derenzini E, Loseto G, Pileri A, Tabanelli V, Fiori S, Rivas-Delgado A, López-Guillermo A, Venesio T, Sapino A, Campo E, Tripodo C, Guarini A, Pileri SA. Dissection of DLBCL microenvironment provides a gene expression-based predictor of survival applicable to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Ann Oncol 2019; 29:2363-2370. [PMID: 30307529 PMCID: PMC6311951 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdy450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gene expression profiling (GEP) studies recognized a prognostic role for tumor microenvironment (TME) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but the routinely adoption of prognostic stromal signatures remains limited. Patients and methods Here, we applied the computational method CIBERSORT to generate a 1028-gene matrix incorporating signatures of 17 immune and stromal cytotypes. Then, we carried out a deconvolution on publicly available GEP data of 482 untreated DLBCLs to reveal associations between clinical outcomes and proportions of putative tumor-infiltrating cell types. Forty-five genes related to peculiar prognostic cytotypes were selected and their expression digitally quantified by NanoString technology on a validation set of 175 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded DLBCLs from two randomized trials. Data from an unsupervised clustering analysis were used to build a model of clustering assignment, whose prognostic value was also assessed on an independent cohort of 40 cases. All tissue samples consisted of pretreatment biopsies of advanced-stage DLBCLs treated by comparable R-CHOP/R-CHOP-like regimens. Results In silico analysis demonstrated that higher proportion of myofibroblasts (MFs), dendritic cells, and CD4+ T cells correlated with better outcomes and the expression of genes in our panel is associated with a risk of overall and progression-free survival. In a multivariate Cox model, the microenvironment genes retained high prognostic performance independently of the cell-of-origin (COO), and integration of the two prognosticators (COO + TME) improved survival prediction in both validation set and independent cohort. Moreover, the major contribution of MF-related genes to the panel and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis suggested a strong influence of extracellular matrix determinants in DLBCL biology. Conclusions Our study identified new prognostic categories of DLBCL, providing an easy-to-apply gene panel that powerfully predicts patients’ survival. Moreover, owing to its relationship with specific stromal and immune components, the panel may acquire a predictive relevance in clinical trials exploring new drugs with known impact on TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ciavarella
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - M C Vegliante
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - M Fabbri
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - S De Summa
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - F Melle
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - G Motta
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - V De Iuliis
- Post-graduated Medical School of Clinical Pathology, "Gabriele D'Annunzio", University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - G Opinto
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - A Enjuanes
- Unitat de Genòmica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Rega
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - A Gulino
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Dipartimento per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - C Agostinelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Bologna University School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Scattone
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - S Tommasi
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - A Mangia
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - F Mele
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - G Simone
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - A F Zito
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - G Ingravallo
- Pathology Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - U Vitolo
- Department of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - A Chiappella
- Department of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - C Tarella
- Onco-Hematology Unit, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - A M Gianni
- Onco-Hematology Unit, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - A Rambaldi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy; School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - P L Zinzani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Bologna University School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - B Casadei
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Bologna University School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - E Derenzini
- Onco-Hematology Unit, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - G Loseto
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - A Pileri
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Bologna University School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - V Tabanelli
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - S Fiori
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - A Rivas-Delgado
- CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain; Hematology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A López-Guillermo
- CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain; Hematology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - T Venesio
- Pathology Department, Candiolo Cancer Institute, Turin, Italy
| | - A Sapino
- Pathology Department, Candiolo Cancer Institute, Turin, Italy
| | - E Campo
- CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain; Haematopathology Unit, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Tripodo
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - A Guarini
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - S A Pileri
- Division of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
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De Donno A, Favia M, Marzullo A, Mele F, Introna F. High tension electrocution death: New histopathological cardiac tools by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope. J Forensic Leg Med 2019; 66:162-166. [PMID: 31325687 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In deaths due to electrocution intraepidermal separation, vacuolation of epidermal cells, "swiss cheese" aspect of the superficial part of epidermis (swollen and with multiple vescicles), metallization, necrosis of collagenous fibers, cardiomyocytes alterations are microscopically described. No cardiac nerve damage due to electricity is actually reported in literature. In this work we tried to find new morphological signs in the hearts of deaths due to electrocution. In three cases of deaths due to electrocution, in which forensic autopsies were performed within 36 h of the death, heart specimens were taken at the level of common trunk of the left coronary artery. The myocardium histological examination at optical microscope and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) revealed fragmentation of cardiomyocytes, nerve trunks damage with hydropic swelling of the nerve fibers, interstitial and sub-nerve-sheath edema, very dishomogenous distribution of the natural fluorescence of the neurofilaments, coarctation of epicardial gangliar cells with cytoplasmic cleft and irregular fluorescence pattern. Identification of S-100 protein by immunohistochemistry can help to better observe the hydropic swelling of the nerve fibers and the central cytoplasmic clefts. These alterations could be used in future as specific signs of the passage of the electrical current through the heart. We recommend heart specimens at the level of common trunk of the left coronary artery in all the cases of suspected electrocution, to better evaluate cardiac nerve trunks damages and alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio De Donno
- Department of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Matteo Favia
- Department of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Andrea Marzullo
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Pathological Anatomy, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Mele
- Department of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Introna
- Department of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
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De Donno A, Sablone S, Lauretti C, Mele F, Martini A, Introna F, Santoro V. Facial approximation: Soft tissue thickness values for Caucasian males using cone beam computer tomography. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2019; 37:49-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Porpiglia F, Manfredi M, Bertolo R, Mele F, Amparore D, Garrou D, Checcucci E, Alleva G, Niculescu G, Piana A, Toso S. Does 3D prostate mp-MRI reconstruction for cognitive robot assisted radical prostatectomy affect oncological outcomes? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-9056(17)31440-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Porpiglia F, Manfredi M, Checcucci E, Mele F, Bertolo R, De Luca S, Garrou D, Cattaneo G, Amparore D, Fiori C. 3D prostate MRI reconstruction for congitive robot assisted radical prostatectomy: Is it able to reduce the positive surgical margin rate? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-9056(17)30133-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Becattini S, Latorre D, Mele F, Foglierini M, De Gregorio C, Cassotta A, Fernandez B, Kelderman S, Schumacher TN, Corti D, Lanzavecchia A, Sallusto F. Functional heterogeneity of human memory CD4+ T cell clones primed by pathogens or vaccines. Science 2014; 347:400-6. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1260668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 250] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Amato NA, Partipilo V, Mele F, Boscia F, De Marzo P. [Pelvic lymphadenectomy as an alternative to adjuvant radiotherapy in early stage endometrial cancer at high risk of recurrent lymphatic metastases (stage I)]. Minerva Ginecol 2009; 61:1-12. [PMID: 19204656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate if the surgical approach without pelvic lymphadenectomy and with adjuvant radiotherapy in the patients suffering from endometrioid adenocarcinoma type at high risk (of lymphatic metastasis) in early stage can be substituted by only surgery with pelvic lymphadenectomy (with or without para-aortic lymphadenectomy). METHODS A retrospective study was carried out on 56 patients who underwent surgery with eventual adjuvant radiotherapy and were attended during the follow-up in the Operative Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics from 1997 to 2004. The patients were divided into two groups: the low risk group and the high risk group. The cancer grading (G) was defined before the surgery with an hystological exam on endometrial biopsies. The follow-up had a medium duration of 30 months (range: 9-44 months) and consisted of the evaluation of: cancer related survival (CRS); recurrence free survival (RFS). Both were evaluated according to age, risk type, and therapy adopted. RESULTS Four patients (7.1%) showed relapse during the period of study in a medium time of 24 months (range: 12-36): 2 of these patients (C and D cases; 36%) had a relapse both locally (pelvic wall) and distantly; the other two (A and B cases; 36%) had only a distant relapse. None of the patients at the stage IA had a relapse, but it occurred in the 8.7% of the cases (N.=2) IB and in the 10.5 % of the patients IC (N.=2). One patient of the low risk group (3.8%) (case A) had a distant relapse (lungs) 12 months after the surgery and died 6 months after the appearance of the relapse without any additional treatment, because of age and of concomitant pathologies which suggested another illness. Three patients of the high risk group (10%) had a local and /or distant relapse (one only distant, two both distant and local). One of them with distant relapse (36 months after the primary treatment) (case B) is still alive, even though she has got a controlled cancer, 8 months after the rescue treatment (chemotherapy), whereas two of them died in a medium time of 14 months (range 13-15 months) from the rescue treatment (C and D cases). One of the three patients of the high risk group underwent the standard surgical treatment with lympho-adenectomy (case B) whereas the other two underwent the standard surgical treatment with aiding radiotherapy (C and D cases). The CRS and the RFS were 96.2% and 96.2% in the low risk group, 93.3% and 90% in the high risk group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The standard surgery offers a good prognosis to the low risk group patients. To the high risk group the CRS and the RFS were better with standard surgery with lymphadenectomy than with standard surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy. The degree of differentiation of the cancer is the most important prognostic factor in relation to the survival free from relapse (RFS).
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Amato
- Unità Operativa di Ginecologia e Ostetricia, Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Università di Foggia, Foggia, Italia.
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Amato NA, Moretti FS, Boscia FM, Mele F. Urinary bladder, urethral and renal condylomata, due to human papilloma virus (HPV) type 11 associated with transitional cell tumors in bladder, ureter and kidney: a case report. Minerva Ginecol 2008; 60:264-265. [PMID: 18547990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
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Foresti M, Scippa S, Mele F, Palladino G, de Vincentiis M. A short low-level exposure to metavanadate during a cell cycle-specific interval of time is sufficient to permanently derange the differentiative properties of Mel cells. Mutagenesis 2001; 16:395-400. [PMID: 11507238 DOI: 10.1093/mutage/16.5.395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse erythroleukemia (Mel) cells have a cell cycle-dependent high sensitivity to chemical and physical mutagens. This report shows that a 5 h exposure to 0.1 or 0.01 microg/ml metavanadate during the initial period of erythroid differentiation induction was sufficient to permanently damage the ability of treated Mel cells and their progeny to undergo erythroid differentiation, without affecting cell viability and proliferation. Conversely, a 5 h pulse of metavanadate at 1 or 10 microg/ml inhibited both differentiation and cell proliferation. The cell cycle-dependent period of mutagenesis was essential for fixation of damage in the cell genome and the progeny of the cells treated with 0.1 or 0.01 microg/ml metavanadate stably inherited an impaired capacity to differentiate. The efficiency of the DNA repair synthesis machinery during the specific period of exposure of Mel cells seemed directly involved in damage fixation. In fact, the mutagenic effects of a 0.1 microg/ml metavanadate pulse was further increased in the presence of 1 mM hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of DNA repair synthesis. In contrast, 5 microg/ml vanillin, an antimutagenic agent that stimulates repair, completely restored the capacity of progeny of cells treated with 0.1 microg/ml metavanadate to complete differentiation. Determination of [(3)H]deoxythymidine in acid-insoluble DNA indicated that incorporation was stimulated by metavanadate alone and was further increased by metavanadate plus vanillin; conversely, incorporation of thymidine was reduced in the presence of hydroxyurea. The capacity of metavanadate to permanently damage Mel cell erythroid differentiation appeared to depend on the cell cycle-related efficiency of the DNA repair systems, activated to correct the induced alteration, rather than on a specific concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Foresti
- Dipartimento di Genetica, Biologia Generale e Molecolare, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Naples, Italy.
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Abstract
Mouse erythroleukemia (Mel) cells are particularly sensitive to mutagenic agents between 18 and 24 h from the start of induction (Foresti, M.L. Gaudio, G. Geraci and P. Manduca (1986) Inhibition of dimethyl sulfoxide induced erythropoietic differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells in culture. Cancer Res., 46, 6260-6263). We show here the occurrence of another period of sensitivity during the initial 5 h after the addition of the inducer dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the culture medium. The sensitivity to the mutagenic action of a sublethal 3-s pulse of UV light (13.5 J/m2) was monitored on the progeny of the irradiated cells at day 5 after the start of induction. The effects were analysed on functions strictly linked to the final expression of the differentiated phenotype: hemoglobin concentration, percent cells producing hemoglobin (%B+), activity of delta-amino levulinic acid dehydrase (ALA-DH) and presence of globins. Each function appeared differently and selectively affected in the progeny of the cells depending on the exact time of irradiation during the period of sensitivity Specifically, cells irradiated at hour 3 after induction show both hemoglobin concentration and ALA-DH activity values increased by a factor 3 over controls. Cells irradiated at hour 5 show an almost complete halt in cell induction and the other tested functions show minimal values. Cells are nearly insensitive to irradiation at later times, until hour 20, after which a second period of sensitivity with peak value at hour 22 occurs at which time hemoglobin concentration in the progeny of irradiated cells is increased by a factor 3 over controls, ALA-DH activity is increased by a factor 15 while percent B+ value is at its minimum. The differential effects of UV irradiation on Mel cell functions in the first and in the second period of sensitivity to mutagens confirm the hypothesis that the consequences of a mutational event are strictly dependent on the functional state of the cell. The 1-5 h period of sensitivity in which Mel cells fix the effects of the mutagen in their genome corresponds to increased thymidine incorporation not correlated with cell duplication.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Foresti
- Dipartimento di Genetica, Biologia Generale e Molecolare, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- F Mele
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hospital of Saint Raphael, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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Ferguson F, Lilleleht LU, Nuth J, Stephens JR, Bussoletti E, Carotenuto L, Colangeli L, Dell'Aversana P, Mele F, Mennella V, Mirra C. Cosmic dust analog simulation in a microgravity environment: the STARDUST program. Adv Space Res 1995; 15:423-426. [PMID: 11539256 DOI: 10.1016/s0273-1177(99)80113-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We have undertaken a project called STARDUST which is a collaboration with Italian and American investigators. The goals of this program are to study the condensation and coagulation of refractory materials from the vapor and to study the properties of the resulting grains as analogs to cosmic dust particles. To reduce thermal convective currents and to develop valuable experience in designing an experiment for the Gas-Grain Simulation Facility aboard Space Station Freedom we have built and flown a new chamber to study these processes under periods of microgravity available on NASA's KC-135 Research Aircraft. Preliminary results from flights with magnesium and zinc are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Ferguson
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
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Abbruzzese F, Mele F. Artificial intelligence techniques for image understanding. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper 1988; 64:161-73. [PMID: 3077909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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