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Schirò G, Iacono S, Andolina M, Bianchi A, Ragonese P, Salemi G. Tocilizumab treatment in MOGAD: a case report and literature review. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:1429-1436. [PMID: 38010585 PMCID: PMC10942923 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07189-7] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-immunoglobulin G associated disease (MOGAD) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) which usually occurs with recurrent optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, acute disseminating encephalomyelitis, or brainstem encephalitis. To date, the anti-CD 20 drug rituximab (RTX) is employed in MOGAD although some authors reported the efficacy of Tocilizumab (TCZ) in refractory patients. We present the case of a woman affected by refractory MOGAD who was treated with TCZ after therapy with RTX had failed to prevent relapses. We also conducted a current literature review on TCZ use in MOGAD. A 57-year-old Caucasian woman affected by MOGAD with severe motor impairment and cognitive dysfunction was treated from 2020 to February 2022 with RTX. However, she experienced progressive clinical and cognitive worsening associated with white matter lesions mimicking leukodystrophy. In February 2022, the patient started therapy with TCZ administered with improvement of cognitive performance, walking ability, and brainstem functions. During TCZ, our patient reached the condition of NEDA-3 (no relapse, no increase in disability, no MRI activity on neuroimaging follow-up performed in September 2023). Moreover, the patient experienced paucisymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection that did not modify TCZ schedule. To date, there are few evidence on the efficacy and safety of TCZ in MOGAD. However, all the reviewed cases showed that TCZ represents an effective therapy in drug-resistant MOGAD. Our case highlights the efficacy of TCZ in drug resistant MOGAD and strengthens previous reports of TCZ safety and efficacy in MOGAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Schirò
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology & Stroke, AOU Policlinico, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Iacono
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology & Stroke, AOU Policlinico, Palermo, Italy
| | - Michele Andolina
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology & Stroke, AOU Policlinico, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessia Bianchi
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Paolo Ragonese
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
- Neurology Unit, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology & Stroke, AOU Policlinico, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Salemi
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology & Stroke, AOU Policlinico, Palermo, Italy
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Restivo I, Giardina IC, Barone R, Cilla A, Burgio S, Allegra M, Tesoriere L, Attanzio A. Indicaxanthin prevents eryptosis induced by cigarette smoke extract by interfering with active Fas-mediated signaling. Biofactors 2024. [PMID: 38520710 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2051] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
A physiological mechanism of programmed cell death called eryptosis occurs in aged or damaged red blood cells (RBCs). Dysregulated eryptosis contributes to abnormal microcirculation and prothrombotic risk. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induces a p38 MAPK-initiated, Fas-mediated eryptosis, activating the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC). Indicaxanthin (Ind) from cactus pear fruits, is a bioavailable dietary phytochemical in humans and it is able to incorporate into RBCs enhancing their defense against numerous stimuli. This in vitro work shows that Ind, at concentrations that mimic plasma concentrations after a fruit meal, protects erythrocytes from CSE-induced eryptosis. CSE from commercial cigarettes was prepared in aqueous solution using an impinger air sampler and nicotine content was determined. RBCs were treated with CSE for 3 h in the absence or presence of increasing concentrations of Ind (from 1 to 5 μM). Cytofluorimetric measurements indicated that Ind reduced CSE-induced phosphatidylserine externalization and ceramide formation in a concentration-dependent manner. Confocal microscopy visualization and coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed that Ind prevented both CSE-triggered Fas aggregation and FasL/FADD/caspase 8 recruitment in the membrane, indicating inhibition of DISC assembly. Ind inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, caspase-8/caspase-3 cleavage, and caspase-3 activity induced by CSE. Finally, Ind reduced CSE-induced ATP depletion and restored aminophospholipid translocase activity impaired by CSE treatment. In conclusion, Ind concentrations comparable to nutritionally relevant plasma concentrations, can prevent Fas-mediated RBC death signaling induced by CSE, which suggests that dietary intake of cactus pear fruits may limit the deleterious effects of cigarette smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignazio Restivo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ilenia Concetta Giardina
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosario Barone
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, Section of Human Anatomy, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Cilla
- Nutrition and Food Science Area, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Stefano Burgio
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, Section of Human Anatomy, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Allegra
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luisa Tesoriere
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Attanzio
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Burgio MI, Veronese N, Sarà D, Saccaro C, Masnata R, Vassallo G, Catania A, Catanese G, Mueller C, Smith L, Dominguez LJ, Vernuccio L, Barbagallo M. Markers for the detection of Lewy body disease versus Alzheimer's disease in mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging Clin Exp Res 2024; 36:60. [PMID: 38451331 PMCID: PMC10920203 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-024-02704-y] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may evolve into dementia. Early recognition of possible evolution to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is of importance, but actual diagnostic criteria have some limitations. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to find the most accurate markers that can discriminate patients with DLB versus AD, in MCI stage. METHODS We searched several databases up to 17 August 2023 including studies comparing markers that may distinguish DLB-MCI from AD-MCI. We reported data regarding sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the curves (AUCs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Among 2219 articles initially screened, eight case-control studies and one cohort study were included for a total of 832 outpatients with MCI. The accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers was the highest among the markers considered (AUC > 0.90 for the CSF markers), with the AUC of CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 of 0.94. The accuracy for clinical symptom scales was very good (AUC = 0.93), as evaluated in three studies. Although limited to one study, the accuracy of FDG-PET (cingulate island sign ratio) was very good (AUC = 0.95) in discriminating DLB from AD in MCI, while the accuracy of SPECT markers and EEG frequencies was variable. CONCLUSIONS Few studies have assessed the accuracy of biomarkers and clinical tools to distinguish DLB from AD at the MCI stage. While results are promising for CSF markers, FDG-PET and clinical symptoms scales, more studies, particularly with a prospective design, are needed to evaluate their accuracy and clinical usefulness. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Prospero (CRD42023422600).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Ilarj Burgio
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Nicola Veronese
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Davide Sarà
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carlo Saccaro
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Masnata
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giusy Vassallo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Angela Catania
- International School of Advanced Studies, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Catanese
- Geriatric Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Paolo Giaccone, Palermo, Italy
| | - Christoph Mueller
- South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK
| | - Ligia Juliana Dominguez
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Laura Vernuccio
- Geriatric Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Paolo Giaccone, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
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Prinzi F, Currieri T, Gaglio S, Vitabile S. Shallow and deep learning classifiers in medical image analysis. Eur Radiol Exp 2024; 8:26. [PMID: 38438821 PMCID: PMC10912073 DOI: 10.1186/s41747-024-00428-2] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
An increasingly strong connection between artificial intelligence and medicine has enabled the development of predictive models capable of supporting physicians' decision-making. Artificial intelligence encompasses much more than machine learning, which nevertheless is its most cited and used sub-branch in the last decade. Since most clinical problems can be modeled through machine learning classifiers, it is essential to discuss their main elements. This review aims to give primary educational insights on the most accessible and widely employed classifiers in radiology field, distinguishing between "shallow" learning (i.e., traditional machine learning) algorithms, including support vector machines, random forest and XGBoost, and "deep" learning architectures including convolutional neural networks and vision transformers. In addition, the paper outlines the key steps for classifiers training and highlights the differences between the most common algorithms and architectures. Although the choice of an algorithm depends on the task and dataset dealing with, general guidelines for classifier selection are proposed in relation to task analysis, dataset size, explainability requirements, and available computing resources. Considering the enormous interest in these innovative models and architectures, the problem of machine learning algorithms interpretability is finally discussed, providing a future perspective on trustworthy artificial intelligence.Relevance statement The growing synergy between artificial intelligence and medicine fosters predictive models aiding physicians. Machine learning classifiers, from shallow learning to deep learning, are offering crucial insights for the development of clinical decision support systems in healthcare. Explainability is a key feature of models that leads systems toward integration into clinical practice. Key points • Training a shallow classifier requires extracting disease-related features from region of interests (e.g., radiomics).• Deep classifiers implement automatic feature extraction and classification.• The classifier selection is based on data and computational resources availability, task, and explanation needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Prinzi
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Tiziana Currieri
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gaglio
- Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Institute for High-Performance Computing and Networking, National Research Council (ICAR-CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Vitabile
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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Maccora S, Torrente A, Di Stefano V, Lupica A, Iacono S, Pilati L, Pignolo A, Brighina F. Non-pharmacological treatment of hereditary spastic paraplegia: a systematic review. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:963-976. [PMID: 37968432 PMCID: PMC10858081 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07200-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Maccora
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 143, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
- Neurology Unit, ARNAS Civico di Cristina and Benfratelli Hospitals, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Angelo Torrente
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 143, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Stefano
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 143, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Lupica
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 143, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Iacono
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 143, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Laura Pilati
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 143, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonia Pignolo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 143, 90127, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, "S. Giovanni di Dio" Hospital, 88900, Crotone, Italy
| | - Filippo Brighina
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 143, 90127, Palermo, Italy
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Dominguez LJ, Veronese N, Barbagallo M. The link between spirituality and longevity. Aging Clin Exp Res 2024; 36:32. [PMID: 38341843 PMCID: PMC10859326 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02684-5] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
We are facing an inverted demographic pyramid with continuously growing aged populations around the world. However, the advances that prolong physical life not always contemplate its psychological and social dimensions. Longevity is a complex outcome influenced by a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, access to healthcare, socio-economic conditions, and other environmental factors. These factors have been generally considered in the compelling research that seeks the determinants of longevity, particularly those concerning personal lifestyle choices, socioeconomic conditions, and molecular mechanisms proposed to mediate these effects. Nonetheless, fundamental aspects that can affect health and well-being, such as spirituality and religiosity, have been somehow left aside despite numerous epidemiological studies showing that higher levels of spirituality/religiosity are associated with lower risk of mortality, even after adjusting for relevant confounders. Because spirituality/religiosity are dimensions of great value for patients, overlooking them can leave them with feelings of neglect and lack of connection with the health system and with the clinicians in charge of their care. Integrating spirituality and religiosity assessment and intervention programs into clinical care can help each person obtain better and complete well-being and also allowing clinicians to achieve the highest standards of health with holistic, person-centered care. The present narrative review aims to explore the available evidence of a relationship between spirituality/religiosity and longevity and discusses the possible mechanisms that can help explain such relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola Veronese
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
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Yacoubi L, Savoca D, El Zrelli RB, Gopalan J, Nazal M, Lin YJ, Maccotta A, Hamza F, Bhuyan MS, Arculeo M, Rabaoui LJ. Trace element levels in the muscles of three tern species (Aves: Laridae) from the western Arabian Gulf: environmental assessment and implications for conservation. Environ Monit Assess 2024; 196:235. [PMID: 38315434 PMCID: PMC10844429 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12385-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
In the Arabian Gulf (called also Persian Gulf; hereafter 'the Gulf'), Jana and Karan Islands are recognized as one of the most Important Bird Areas in the region. Many migratory breeding seabirds, like the Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii, White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa and Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus, depend on these islands during the breeding season. However, these aquatic wildlife species are suffering from intensified urban and industrial coastal development and various contamination events including wars and related oil spills. In this study, we used these three piscivorous top predator birds to analyse the levels of 19 trace elements (TEs; i.e. Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn) in 15 muscular tissue samples from Jana and Karan Islands. PERMANOVA analysis showed no difference in contamination profile between sites nor between species probably due to their spatial and ecological proximity and therefore similar levels of exposure to TEs. Comparing these levels with existing literature, our results showed no particular concern for all elements, except for Al (maximum values recorded = 116.5 µg g-1 d.w.) and, in two samples, Ba (33.67 µg g-1 d.w.) and Pb (5.6 µg g-1 d.w.). The results can be considered as an initial step for supplementary evaluations with a larger number of samples and specified time intervals for the collection of specimens. This study provided baseline information on the pollution status of these two ecologically important sites which require a continuous biomonitoring programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamia Yacoubi
- Faculty of Science of Tunis, Laboratory of Biodiversity & Parasitology of Aquatic Ecosystems (LR18ES05), University Campus, University of Tunis El Manar, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Dario Savoca
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie BiologicheChimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 20, 90123, Palermo, Italy.
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy.
| | | | - Jinoy Gopalan
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mazen Nazal
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yu-Jia Lin
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Antonella Maccotta
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie BiologicheChimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 20, 90123, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Foued Hamza
- National Center for Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md Simul Bhuyan
- Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute, Cox's Bazar, 4730, Bangladesh
| | - Marco Arculeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie BiologicheChimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 20, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lotfi Jilani Rabaoui
- National Center for Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Leale I, Figlioli F, Giustino V, Brusa J, Barcellona M, Nocera V, Canzone A, Patti A, Messina G, Barbagallo M, Palma A, Dominguez LJ, Battaglia G. Telecoaching as a new training method for elderly people: a systematic review. Aging Clin Exp Res 2024; 36:18. [PMID: 38305822 PMCID: PMC10837264 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02648-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The numerous restrictive measures implemented during the recent COVID-19 pandemic have reduced the levels of physical activity (PA) carried out by elderly people and telecoaching (TC) could be a training method to maintain the recommended levels of PA. In fact, TC uses information and digital communications technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access training services remotely. Thus, this study aimed to systematically review the scientific literature to verify the application, efficacy, and safety of TC training programs. METHODS PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences databases were used for this review, and randomized controlled trials analyzing TC training programs for elderly people were included. Only articles written in English and published in the last decade were considered. RESULTS 3 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis including 194 elderly people. The sample size ranged from 12 to 117 and the TC training program from 8 to 12 weeks. The TC training programs were applied to elderly people with metabolic diseases and respiratory diseases. TC training program was effective in elderly people with metabolic diseases while the benefits for respiratory diseases have yet to be clarified. CONCLUSION TC seems to be a safe, effective, and injury-free training method, despite its limited application in elderly population. Future studies should better investigate this training method in elderly people in order to evaluate the effectiveness in a wider range of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignazio Leale
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy
- PhD Program in Health Promotion and Cognitive Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy
| | - Flavia Figlioli
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy
- PhD Program in Health Promotion and Cognitive Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valerio Giustino
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Jessica Brusa
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matteo Barcellona
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valerio Nocera
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alberto Canzone
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Patti
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Messina
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele University, Via di Val Cannuta, 247, 00166, Rome, Italy
- PLab Research Institute, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Palma
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy
- Regional Sports School of Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ligia J Dominguez
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy
- School of Medicine, University Kore, Enna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Battaglia
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy
- Regional Sports School of Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
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9
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Catalano C, Turgut T, Zahalka O, Götzen N, Cannata S, Gentile G, Agnese V, Gandolfo C, Pasta S. On the Material Constitutive Behavior of the Aortic Root in Patients with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. Cardiovasc Eng Technol 2024; 15:95-109. [PMID: 37985617 PMCID: PMC10884088 DOI: 10.1007/s13239-023-00699-7] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. However, there is limited knowledge on the material properties of the aortic root in TAVI patients, and this can impact the credibility of computer simulations. This study aimed to develop a non-invasive inverse approach for estimating reliable material constituents for the aortic root and calcified valve leaflets in patients undergoing TAVI. METHODS The identification of material parameters is based on the simultaneous minimization of two cost functions, which define the difference between model predictions and cardiac-gated CT measurements of the aortic wall and valve orifice area. Validation of the inverse analysis output was performed comparing the numerical predictions with actual CT shapes and post-TAVI measures of implanted device diameter. RESULTS A good agreement of the peak systolic shape of the aortic wall was found between simulations and imaging, with similarity index in the range in the range of 83.7% to 91.5% for n.20 patients. Not any statistical difference was observed between predictions and CT measures of orifice area for the stenotic aortic valve. After TAVI simulations, the measurements of SAPIEN 3 Ultra (S3) device diameter were in agreement with those from post-TAVI angio-CT imaging. A sensitivity analysis demonstrated a modest impact on the S3 diameters when altering the elastic material property of the aortic wall in the range of inverse analysis solution. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility and potential benefits of using non-invasive imaging techniques and computational modeling to estimate material properties in patients undergoing TAVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Catalano
- Department of Engineering, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, Italy
| | - Tahir Turgut
- 4RealSim Services BV, Groene Dijk 2B, 3401 NJ, IJsselstein, The Netherlands
| | - Omar Zahalka
- 4RealSim Services BV, Groene Dijk 2B, 3401 NJ, IJsselstein, The Netherlands
| | - Nils Götzen
- 4RealSim Services BV, Groene Dijk 2B, 3401 NJ, IJsselstein, The Netherlands
| | - Stefano Cannata
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Cardiothoracic Diseases and Cardiothoracic Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gentile
- Radiology Unit, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, IRCCS-ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Agnese
- 3D printing and Virtual Reality Laboratory, Department of Research, IRCCS-ISMETT, IRCCS Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies, Via Tricomi, 5, Palermo, Italy
| | - Caterina Gandolfo
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Cardiothoracic Diseases and Cardiothoracic Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pasta
- Department of Engineering, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, Italy.
- 3D printing and Virtual Reality Laboratory, Department of Research, IRCCS-ISMETT, IRCCS Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies, Via Tricomi, 5, Palermo, Italy.
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10
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Giustra F, Bosco F, Masoni V, Capella M, Cacciola G, Risitano S, Sabatini L, Camarda L, Massè A. Irreducible knee dislocation: improved clinical outcomes of open and arthroscopic surgical treatment. A systematic review of the literature. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2024; 34:735-745. [PMID: 37993611 PMCID: PMC10858095 DOI: 10.1007/s00590-023-03781-x] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Irreducible knee dislocations (IKDs) are a rare rotatory category of knee dislocations (KDs) characterized by medial soft tissue entrapment that requires early surgical treatment. This systematic review underlines the need for prompt surgical reduction of IKDs, either open or arthroscopically. It describes the various surgical options for ligament management following knee reduction, and it investigates their respective functional outcome scores to assist orthopedic surgeons in adequately managing this rare but harmful KD. METHODS A comprehensive search in four databases, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and MEDLINE, was performed, and following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Studies with LoE 5 were excluded, and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the ROBINS-I tool system. This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for all data extracted. RESULTS Four studies were included in the qualitative analysis for a total of 49 patients enrolled. The dimple sign was present in most cases. The surgical reduction, either open or arthroscopically performed, appeared to be the only way to disengage the entrapped medial structures. After the reduction, torn ligaments were addressed in a single acute or a double-staged procedure with improved functional outcome scores and ROM. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review underlines the importance of promptly reducing IKDs through a surgical procedure, either open or arthroscopically. Moreover, torn ligaments should be handled with either a single acute or a double-staged procedure, leading to improved outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fortunato Giustra
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ospedale San Giovanni Bosco di Torino - ASL Città di Torino, 10154, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Bosco
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (DiChirOnS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, G.F. Ingrassia Hospital Unit, ASP 6, 90131, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Virginia Masoni
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Turin, CTO, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - Marcello Capella
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Turin, CTO, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - Giorgio Cacciola
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Turin, CTO, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - Salvatore Risitano
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Turin, CTO, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - Luigi Sabatini
- Ortopedia Protesica e Robotica-Humanitas Gradenigo, 10153, Turin, Italy
| | - Lawrence Camarda
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (DiChirOnS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Massè
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Turin, CTO, 10125, Turin, Italy
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11
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Veronese N, Smith L, Koyanagi A, Hoffman J, Snoussi M, Prokopidis K, Dominguez LJ, Barbagallo M. Prevalence of sarcopenia in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Aging Clin Exp Res 2024; 36:12. [PMID: 38281246 PMCID: PMC10822818 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02671-w] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing literature suggests that sarcopenia is a highly prevalent condition in older people. However, most studies to date reporting data on its prevalence have been mainly carried out in Western countries, while data on sarcopenia in Africa is scarce. With this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in African countries and to explore potential factors that could explain higher or lower prevalence of this condition in Africa. METHODS Major databases for studies reporting data on sarcopenia in African countries were searched from inception to June 2023. We conducted a meta-analysis of the prevalence [and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs)] of sarcopenia in Africa, applying a random effect model. Several sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were run. RESULTS Among 147 articles initially screened, six articles (with seven cohorts) including a total of 10,656 participants were included. Mean age of participants was 66.9 years, and the majority were female (58.1%). The weighted prevalence of sarcopenia in the selected countries of Africa was 25.72% (95%CI: 18.90-32.55). This outcome was characterized by a high heterogeneity (I2 = 99%) and by publication bias. Among the factors investigated, sarcopenia was lower when assessed using only one anthropometric measure, or in South Africa. CONCLUSION Sarcopenia is a prevalent condition in Africa and thus research regarding this topic is a public health priority. Future studies that cover African countries for which data are not available and using standardized criteria are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Veronese
- Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ai Koyanagi
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaco Hoffman
- Optentia Research Unit, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
| | - Mouna Snoussi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Medical School of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Konstantinos Prokopidis
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ligia J Dominguez
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University Kore of Enna, 94100, Enna, Italy
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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12
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Di Stefano V, Alonge P, Rini N, Militello M, Lupica A, Torrente A, Brighina F. Efgartigimod beyond myasthenia gravis: the role of FcRn-targeting therapies in stiff-person syndrome. J Neurol 2024; 271:254-262. [PMID: 37682316 PMCID: PMC10769952 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11970-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder characterized by high titers of antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) causing impaired GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission. To date, there is not a defined therapy for such condition, but immunomodulating therapies, such as plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulins, and rituximab, have been widely used in clinical practice. However, the efficacy and tolerability of these treatments is not well established. Efgartigimod, a new neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker, is a human IgG1 antibody Fc fragment engineered with increased affinity for FcRn binding, leading to a reduction in IgGs levels, including pathogenic IgG autoantibody showing promising results in neurological autoimmune disorders and has been approved for the treatment of AChR-seropositive generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). In this study, we report and describe the first data on treatment with efgartigimod in three patients affected by both AChR-seropositive generalized MG and anti-GAD-seropositive SPS. Patients were followed since the start of efgartigimod and for the whole treatment period (12 weeks). MG symptoms were assessed with the "MG activity of daily living score" and the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis score, while SPS ones were assessed with the "SPS activity of daily living score"; muscle strength was assessed with the Medical Research Council Sum score; the overall disability from MG and SPS was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale. All patients showed an improvement in symptoms of both SPS and MG after 2 cycles of treatment. Our data suggest that efgartigimod may be considered as a candidate drug for SPS and other autoantibody-mediated neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Di Stefano
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 143 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Paolo Alonge
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 143 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Nicasio Rini
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 143 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Militello
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 143 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Lupica
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 143 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelo Torrente
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 143 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Filippo Brighina
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 143 90127, Palermo, Italy
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13
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Tripoli G, Lo Duca S, Ferraro L, Zahid U, Mineo R, Seminerio F, Bruno A, Di Giorgio V, Maniaci G, Marrazzo G, Sartorio C, Scaglione A, La Barbera D, La Cascia C. Lifestyles and Quality of Life of People with Mental Illness During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Community Ment Health J 2024; 60:37-46. [PMID: 36781688 PMCID: PMC9925225 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-023-01095-0] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL), daily lifestyle, and mental health of people suffering from a mental disorder. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the prolongation of the COVID-19 emergency on QoL and lifestyles in a sample of 100 outpatients at the Psychiatry Unit in Palermo University Hospital, Italy. QoL was measured through the 12-item Short Form Survey and the COV19-Impact on Quality of Life. Lifestyle changes during the pandemic were measured through the lifestyle change questionnaire. The majority of participants reported a great impact of COVID-19 on the QoL, and almost half reported worsened lifestyles. Worsened lifestyles were predictive of both poor mental and physical health related QoL. These results suggest that people with mental illness need interventions targeting lifestyles, and the mental health service in Italy should adjust to the ongoing pandemic, developing virtual treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Tripoli
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AF, London, UK.
| | - Sofia Lo Duca
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
- Unit of Psychiatry, University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Laura Ferraro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Uzma Zahid
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AF, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Ln, Headington, OX3 7JX, Oxford, UK
| | - Raffaella Mineo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Seminerio
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
- Unit of Psychiatry, University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bruno
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vanessa Di Giorgio
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maniaci
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
- Unit of Psychiatry, University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanna Marrazzo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
- Unit of Psychiatry, University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Crocettarachele Sartorio
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
- Unit of Psychiatry, University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Scaglione
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
- Unit of Psychiatry, University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniele La Barbera
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
- Unit of Psychiatry, University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Caterina La Cascia
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
- Unit of Psychiatry, University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Via G. La Loggia 1, 90129, Palermo, Italy
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14
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Di Prazza A, Canino B, Barbagallo M, Veronese N. The importance of prognosis in geriatric patients attending the emergency department: a comparison between two common short geriatric assessment tools. Aging Clin Exp Res 2023; 35:3041-3046. [PMID: 37932645 PMCID: PMC10721668 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02603-8] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of short geriatric tools in the emergency department (ED) is increasing, but the literature is still conflicting. The aim of this study is to compare the precision and the accuracy of two short geriatric assessment tools to predict mortality in a cohort of older patients attending the ED. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted including patients ≥ 65 years, attending the ED and transferred to a medical assessment unit from February to July 2022. Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and Brief Multidimensional Prognostic Index (Brief MPI) were administered. The association between Brief MPI and CFS and mortality was analysed via area under the curve (AUC) with its 95% confidence intervals (CIs), the C-statistics and a multivariate Cox's regression analysis, in the latter case reporting the data as hazard ratios (HRs) with their 95% CI. RESULTS Among the 579 patients enrolled (mean age: 77 years), both Brief MPI and CFS showed a good accuracy in predicting mortality (AUC: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.61-0.83 for Brief MPI; 0.754; 95% CI: 0.65-0.83 for CFS). The discrimination of Brief MPI and CFS in predicting mortality was excellent, since the C-index of the Brief MPI was 0.85 and of CFS = 0.84. In the multivariate analysis, the risk for mortality was significantly increased for frailer subjects (HR 4.65; 95% CI: 1.45-15.00 for Brief MPI > 0.66; HR = 9.24; 95% CI: 1.16-76.90 for CFS > 6). CONCLUSIONS Brief MPI and CFS showed a good accuracy/precision to predict mortality in older patients attending the ED. Considering that they are quick to perform, their introduction in ED clinical practice could be extremely helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Di Prazza
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Baldassare Canino
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Nicola Veronese
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
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15
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Tringali G, Lavanco G, Castelli V, Pizzolanti G, Kuchar M, Currò D, Cannizzaro C, Brancato A. Cannabidiol tempers alcohol intake and neuroendocrine and behavioural correlates in alcohol binge drinking adolescent rats. Focus on calcitonin gene-related peptide's brain levels. Phytother Res 2023; 37:4870-4884. [PMID: 37525534 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol binge drinking is common among adolescents and may challenge the signalling systems that process affective stimuli, including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) signalling. Here, we employed a rat model of adolescent binge drinking to evaluate reward-, social- and aversion-related behaviour, glucocorticoid output and CGRP levels in affect-related brain regions. As a potential rescue, the effect of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol was explored. Adolescent male rats underwent the intermittent 20% alcohol two-bottle choice paradigm; at the binge day (BD) and the 24 h withdrawal day (WD), we assessed CGRP expression in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), amygdala, hypothalamus and brainstem; in addition, we evaluated sucrose preference, social motivation and drive, nociceptive response, and serum corticosterone levels. Cannabidiol (40 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered before each drinking session, and its effect was measured on the above-mentioned readouts. At BD and WD, rats displayed decreased CGRP expression in mPFC, NAc and amygdala; increased CGRP levels in the brainstem; increased response to rewarding- and nociceptive stimuli and decreased social drive; reduced serum corticosterone levels. Cannabidiol reduced alcohol consumption and preference; normalised the abnormal corticolimbic CGRP expression, and the reward and aversion-related hyper-responsivity, as well as glucocorticoid levels in alcohol binge-like drinking rats. Overall, CGRP can represent both a mediator and a target of alcohol binge-like drinking and provides a further piece in the intricate puzzle of alcohol-induced behavioural and neuroendocrine sequelae. CBD shows promising effects in limiting adolescent alcohol binge drinking and rebalancing the bio-behavioural abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Tringali
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Health Care Surveillance and Bioethics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Lavanco
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties of Excellence "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Castelli
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pizzolanti
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties of Excellence "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Martin Kuchar
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czechia
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Diego Currò
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Health Care Surveillance and Bioethics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Cannizzaro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Brancato
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties of Excellence "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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16
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D'Anna L, Miclot T, Bignon E, Perricone U, Barone G, Monari A, Terenzi A. Resolving a guanine-quadruplex structure in the SARS-CoV-2 genome through circular dichroism and multiscale molecular modeling. Chem Sci 2023; 14:11332-11339. [PMID: 37886086 PMCID: PMC10599604 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04004f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The genome of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is made up of a single-stranded RNA fragment that can assume a specific secondary structure, whose stability can influence the virus's ability to reproduce. Recent studies have identified putative guanine quadruplex sequences in SARS-CoV-2 genome fragments that are involved in coding for both structural and non-structural proteins. In this contribution, we focus on a specific G-rich sequence referred to as RG-2, which codes for the non-structural protein 10 (Nsp10) and assumes a guanine-quadruplex (G4) arrangement. We provide the secondary structure of RG-2 G4 at atomistic resolution by molecular modeling and simulation, validated by the superposition of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. Through both experimental and simulation approaches, we have demonstrated that pyridostatin (PDS), a widely recognized G4 binder, can bind to and stabilize RG-2 G4 more strongly than RG-1, another G4 forming sequence that was previously proposed as a potential target for antiviral drug candidates. Overall, this study highlights RG-2 as a valuable target to inhibit the translation and replication of SARS-CoV-2, paving the way towards original therapeutic approaches against emerging RNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa D'Anna
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17 90128 Palermo Italy
| | - Tom Miclot
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17 90128 Palermo Italy
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS UMR 7019 LPCT F-54000 Nancy France
| | | | - Ugo Perricone
- Fondazione Ri.MED Via Filippo Marini 14 90128 Palermo Italy
| | - Giampaolo Barone
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17 90128 Palermo Italy
| | - Antonio Monari
- Université Paris Cité and CNRS, ITODYS F-75006 Paris France
| | - Alessio Terenzi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17 90128 Palermo Italy
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17
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Capri FC, Prazzi E, Casamento G, Gambino D, Cassata G, Alduina R. Correlation Between Microbial Community and Hatching Failure in Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta. Microb Ecol 2023; 86:1923-1933. [PMID: 36805785 PMCID: PMC10497424 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02197-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microbial communities provide essential information about host ecology and could be helpful as a tool to improve species conservation efforts. However, microbes can also infect and compromise the host development process and viability. Caretta caretta is the most widespread marine turtle species in the Mediterranean basin and is the only species of sea turtle nesting along the Italian coasts. Little is known about the microbiota composition of the nest of sea turtles and its correlation with hatching failures. In this study, the microbial composition of two nests of C. caretta featuring different rates of hatching success from a nesting beach in Lampedusa (Italy) was analyzed and compared. The bacterial community was determined using culture-dependent methods and next-generation sequencing based on 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding analysis. Our results showed five dominant bacterial phyla (Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Firmicutes) and indicated different bacterial families (Pseudomonadaceae and Brucellaceae) as likely causes of hatching failures. Besides, our findings demonstrated the nests' active role in modulating the sand's bacterial communities. This study suggests microbiological analysis could be a valuable tool in monitoring nests to take preventive actions and reduce hatching failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Claire Capri
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Viale delle Scienze, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Elena Prazzi
- Legambiente Sicilia-Ente Gestore Riserva Naturale Orientata Isola di Lampedusa, Via Vittorio Emanuele, 25, 92031 Lampedusa, AG Italy
| | - Giulia Casamento
- Legambiente Sicilia-Ente Gestore Riserve Naturali, via Paolo Gili,4, 90138 Palermo, PA Italy
| | - Delia Gambino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cassata
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosa Alduina
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Viale delle Scienze, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
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18
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Tutino R, Nigro C, Paternostro F, Federico R, Lo Secco G, Gallo G, Santarelli M, Cocorullo G, Bonventre S. Fissurectomy versus lateral internal sphincterotomy in the treatment of chronic anal fissures: no advantages in terms of post-operative incontinence. Tech Coloproctol 2023; 27:885-889. [PMID: 36929471 PMCID: PMC10485083 DOI: 10.1007/s10151-023-02780-8] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The standard treatment for chronic anal fissures that have failed non-operative management is lateral internal sphincterotomy. Surgery can cause de novo incontinence. Fissurectomy has been proposed as a sphincter/saving procedure, especially in the presence of a deep posterior pouch with or without a crypt infection. This study investigated whether fissurectomy offers a benefit in terms of de novo post-operative incontinence. METHODS Patients surgically managed with fissurectomy or lateral internal sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissures from 2013 to 2019 have been included. Healing rate, changes in continence and patient satisfaction were investigated at long-term follow-up. RESULTS One hundred twenty patients (55 females, 65 males) were analysed: 29 patients underwent fissurectomy and 91 lateral internal sphincterotomy. Mean follow-up was 55 months [confidence interval (CI) 5-116 months]. Both techniques showed some rate of de novo post-operative incontinence (> +3 Vaizey score points): 8.9% lateral internal sphincterotomy, 17.8% fissurectomy (p = 0.338). The mean Vaizey score in these patients was 10.37 [standard deviation (sd) 6.3] after lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) and 5.4 (sd 2.3) after fissurectomy Healing rate was 97.8% in the lateral internal sphincterotomy group and 75.8% in the fissurectomy group (p = 0.001). In the lateral internal sphincterotomy group, patients with de novo post-op incontinence showed a statistically significant lower satisfaction rate (9.2 ± 1.57 versus 6.13 ± 3; p = 0.023) while no differences were present in the fissurectomy group (8.87 ± 1.69 versus 7.4 ± 1.14; p = 0.077). CONCLUSIONS Lateral internal sphincterotomy is confirmed as the preferred technique in term of healing rate. Fissurectomy did not offer a lower rate of de novo post-operative incontinence, but resulted in lower Vaizey scores in patients in whom this occurred. Satisfaction was lower in patients suffering a de novo post-operative incontinence after lateral internal sphincterotomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Tutino
- General Surgery 3 O.U., Molinette Hospital, University Hospital Città Della Salute E Della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Disciplines, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Casimiro Nigro
- Department of Surgery, Università Degli Studi Di Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rosa Federico
- University Hospital "P. Giaccone" of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giacomo Lo Secco
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Gaetano Gallo
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Santarelli
- General Surgery 3 O.U., Molinette Hospital, University Hospital Città Della Salute E Della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Cocorullo
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Disciplines, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Bonventre
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Disciplines, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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19
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Veronese N, Soysal P, Demurtas J, Solmi M, Bruyère O, Christodoulou N, Ramalho R, Fusar-Poli P, Lappas AS, Pinto D, Frederiksen KS, Corbi GM, Karpenko O, Georges J, Durães J, Schlögl M, Yilmaz O, Sieber C, Shenkin SD, Smith L, Reginster JY, Maggi S, Limongi F, Ars J, Barbagallo M, Cherubini A, Quinn T. Physical activity and exercise for the prevention and management of mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a collaborative international guideline. Eur Geriatr Med 2023; 14:925-952. [PMID: 37768499 PMCID: PMC10587099 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-023-00858-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical activity and exercise have been suggested as effective interventions for the prevention and management of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, but there are no international guidelines. OBJECTIVES To create a set of evidence- and expert consensus-based prevention and management recommendations regarding physical activity (any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure) and exercise (a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive), applicable to a range of individuals from healthy older adults to those with MCI/dementia. METHODS Guideline content was developed with input from several scientific and lay representatives' societies. A systematic search across multidisciplinary databases was carried out until October 2021. Recommendations for prevention and management were developed according to the GRADE and complemented by consensus statements from the expert panels. RECOMMENDATIONS Physical activity may be considered for the primary prevention of dementia. In people with MCI there is continued uncertainty about the role of physical activity in slowing the conversion to dementia. Mind-body interventions have the greatest supporting evidence. In people with moderate dementia, exercise may be used for maintaining disability and cognition. All these recommendations were based on a very low/low certainty of evidence. CONCLUSIONS Although the scientific evidence on the beneficial role of physical activity and exercise in preserving cognitive functions in subjects with normal cognition, MCI or dementia is inconclusive, this panel, composed of scientific societies and other stakeholders, recommends their implementation based on their beneficial effects on almost all facets of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Veronese
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Pinar Soysal
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Jacopo Demurtas
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena - Azienda USL Sud Est Toscana, Grosseto, Italy
| | - Marco Solmi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olivier Bruyère
- Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, World Health Organization, Collaborating Center for Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Nikos Christodoulou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Thessaly Medical School, Volos, Greece
- World Psychiatric Association, Section of Preventive Psychiatry, University of Nottingham Medical School, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rodrigo Ramalho
- Department of Social and Community Health, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andreas S Lappas
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport, Wales, UK
| | - Daniel Pinto
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Kristian Steen Frederiksen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Dementia Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Grazia Maria Corbi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Olga Karpenko
- Chair of the WPA Preventive Psychiatry Section, Mental-Health Clinic No. 1 Named After N.A. Alexeev, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - João Durães
- Neurology Department, Coimbra University Hospital Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra University, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Mathias Schlögl
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Clinic Barmelweid, Barmelweid, Switzerland
| | - Ozlem Yilmaz
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Samatya, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cornel Sieber
- Institute for Biomedicine of Aging, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Kobergerstr. 60, 90408, Nuremberg, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Brauerstrasse 15, Postfach 834, 8401, Winterthur, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susan D Shenkin
- Ageing and Health Research Group and Advanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jean-Yves Reginster
- Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Stefania Maggi
- National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Aging Branch, Padua, Italy
| | - Federica Limongi
- National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Aging Branch, Padua, Italy
| | - Joan Ars
- RE-FiT Barcelona Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) and Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili, Barcelona, Spain
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Cherubini
- Geriatria, Accettazione Geriatrica e Centro di Ricerca Per l'invecchiamento, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | - Terry Quinn
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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20
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Costanzo R, Simonetta I, Musso S, Benigno UE, Cusimano LM, Giovannini EA, Giardina K, Abrignani V, Baglio I, Albanese A, Iacopino DG, Maugeri R, Tuttolomondo A. Role of Mediterranean diet in the development and recurrence of meningiomas: a narrative review. Neurosurg Rev 2023; 46:255. [PMID: 37736769 PMCID: PMC10517030 DOI: 10.1007/s10143-023-02128-8] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Several studies through the years have proven how an unhealthy nutrition, physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and smoking represent relevant risk factors in cancer genesis. This study aims to provide an overview about the relationship between meningiomas and food assumption in the Mediterranean diet and whether it can be useful in meningioma prevention or it, somehow, can prevent their recurrence. The authors performed a wide literature search in PubMed and Scopus databases investigating the presence of a correlation between Mediterranean diet and meningiomas. The following MeSH and free text terms were used: "Meningiomas" AND "Diet" and "Brain tumors" AND "diet." Databases' search yielded a total of 749 articles. After duplicate removal, an abstract screening according to the eligibility criteria has been performed and 40 articles were selected. Thirty-one articles were excluded because they do not meet the inclusion criteria. Finally, a total of 9 articles were included in this review. It is widely established the key and protective role that a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet can have against tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, studies focusing exclusively on the Mediterranean diet are still lacking. Thus, multicentric and/or prospective, randomized studies are mandatory to better assess and determine the impact of food assumptions in meningioma involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Costanzo
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in Neurologic Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Irene Simonetta
- Internal Medicine and Stroke Care Ward, Department of Promoting Health, Maternal-Infant Excellence and Internal and Specialized Medicine (ProMISE) G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche n.2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Sofia Musso
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in Neurologic Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Umberto Emanuele Benigno
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in Neurologic Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luigi Maria Cusimano
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in Neurologic Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Evier Andrea Giovannini
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in Neurologic Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Kevin Giardina
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in Neurologic Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Abrignani
- Internal Medicine and Stroke Care Ward, Department of Promoting Health, Maternal-Infant Excellence and Internal and Specialized Medicine (ProMISE) G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche n.2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Irene Baglio
- Internal Medicine and Stroke Care Ward, Department of Promoting Health, Maternal-Infant Excellence and Internal and Specialized Medicine (ProMISE) G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche n.2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessio Albanese
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Gerardo Iacopino
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in Neurologic Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosario Maugeri
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in Neurologic Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Tuttolomondo
- Internal Medicine and Stroke Care Ward, Department of Promoting Health, Maternal-Infant Excellence and Internal and Specialized Medicine (ProMISE) G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche n.2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
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21
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Dumas F, Mauro M, Vazzana M, Arizza V, Vizzini A. Ciona robusta macrophage migration inhibitory factor (Mif1 and Mif2) genes are differentially regulated in the lipopolysaccharide-challenged pharynx. J Fish Biol 2023; 103:727-730. [PMID: 37148434 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15427] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on Mif (macrophage migration inhibitory factor) gene expression in the pharynx (haemapoetic tissue) of Ciona robusta were investigated using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridisation (ISH). To verify the induction of an inflammatory response in the pharynx, a qRT-PCR analysis was performed to evaluate the change in the expression of proinflammatory marker genes such as Mbl, Ptx-like, Tnf-α and Nf-kb, which were shown to be upregulated 1 h post LPS challenge. The change in the expression of the two Mif paralogs in the pharynx was assessed before and after stimulation, and qRT-PCR and ISH results showed that, although Mif2 and Mif2 were expressed in clusters of haemocytes in pharynx vessels, only Mif1 expression increased after LPS stimulation. This indicates that the Mif genes are differently regulated and respond to different ambient inputs that need further analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Dumas
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche-Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Manuela Mauro
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche-Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mirella Vazzana
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche-Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche-Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Aiti Vizzini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche-Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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22
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Cannella R, Pilato G, Mazzola M, Bartolotta TV. New microvascular ultrasound techniques: abdominal applications. Radiol Med 2023; 128:1023-1034. [PMID: 37495910 PMCID: PMC10473992 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-023-01679-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Microvascular ultrasound (MVUS) is a new ultrasound technique that allows the detection of slow-velocity flow, providing the visualization of the blood flow in small vessels without the need of intravenous contrast agent administration. This technology has been integrated in the most recent ultrasound equipment and applied for the assessment of vascularization. Compared to conventional color Doppler and power Doppler imaging, MVUS provides higher capability to detect intralesional flow. A growing number of studies explored the potential applications in hepatobiliary, genitourinary, and vascular pathologies. Different flow patterns can be observed in hepatic and renal focal lesions providing information on tumor vascularity and improving the differential diagnosis. This article aims to provide a detailed review on the current evidences and applications of MVUS in abdominal imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cannella
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Giulia Pilato
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mariasole Mazzola
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Tommaso Vincenzo Bartolotta
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy
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23
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Di Gennaro F, Belati A, Tulone O, Diella L, Fiore Bavaro D, Bonica R, Genna V, Smith L, Trott M, Bruyere O, Mirarchi L, Cusumano C, Dominguez LJ, Saracino A, Veronese N, Barbagallo M. Incidence of long COVID-19 in people with previous SARS-Cov2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 120,970 patients. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:1573-1581. [PMID: 36449260 PMCID: PMC9709360 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03164-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The long-term consequences of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) are likely to be frequent but results hitherto are inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to define the incidence of long-term COVID signs and symptoms as defined by the World Health Organization, using a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. A systematic search in several databases was carried out up to 12 January 2022 for observational studies reporting the cumulative incidence of long COVID signs and symptoms divided according to body systems affected. Data are reported as incidence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Several sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were performed. Among 11,162 papers initially screened, 196 were included, consisting of 120,970 participants (mean age: 52.3 years; 48.8% females) who were followed-up for a median of six months. The incidence of any long COVID symptomatology was 56.9% (95% CI 52.2-61.6). General long COVID signs and symptoms were the most frequent (incidence of 31%) and digestive issues the least frequent (7.7%). The presence of any neurological, general and cardiovascular long COVID symptomatology was most frequent in females. Higher mean age was associated with higher incidence of psychiatric, respiratory, general, digestive and skin conditions. The incidence of long COVID symptomatology was different according to continent and follow-up length. Long COVID is a common condition in patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, regardless of the severity of the acute illness, indicating the need for more cohort studies on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Di Gennaro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Belati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Ottavia Tulone
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo Geriatric Unit, Via del Vespro 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lucia Diella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Davide Fiore Bavaro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Bonica
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo Geriatric Unit, Via del Vespro 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Genna
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo Geriatric Unit, Via del Vespro 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health, Wellbeing, and Performance, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mike Trott
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Olivier Bruyere
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Luigi Mirarchi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo Geriatric Unit, Via del Vespro 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudia Cusumano
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo Geriatric Unit, Via del Vespro 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ligia Juliana Dominguez
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo Geriatric Unit, Via del Vespro 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University Kore of Enna, Enna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Saracino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Veronese
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo Geriatric Unit, Via del Vespro 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo Geriatric Unit, Via del Vespro 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy
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24
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Bonosi L, Musso S, Cusimano LM, Porzio M, Giovannini EA, Benigno UE, Giammalva GR, Gerardi RM, Brunasso L, Costanzo R, Paolini F, Sciortino A, Campisi BM, Giardina K, Scalia G, Iacopino DG, Maugeri R. The role of neuronal plasticity in cervical spondylotic myelopathy surgery: functional assessment and prognostic implication. Neurosurg Rev 2023; 46:149. [PMID: 37358655 PMCID: PMC10293440 DOI: 10.1007/s10143-023-02062-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a degenerative disease representing the most common spinal cord disorder in the adult population. It is characterized by chronic compression leading to neurological dysfunction due to static and dynamic injury of the spinal cord in cervical spine. These insidious damage mechanisms can result in the reorganization of cortical and subcortical areas. The cerebral cortex can reorganize due to spinal cord injury and may play a role in preserving neurological function. To date, the gold standard treatment of cervical myelopathy is surgery, comprising anterior, posterior, and combined approaches. However, the complex physiologic recovery processes involving cortical and subcortical neural reorganization following surgery are still inadequately understood. It has been demonstrated that diffusion MRI and functional imaging and techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), can provide new insights into the diagnosis and prognosis of CSM. This review aims to shed light on the state-of-the-art regarding the pattern of cortical and subcortical areas reorganization and recovery before and after surgery in CSM patients, underlighting the critical role of neuroplasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lapo Bonosi
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Sofia Musso
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luigi Maria Cusimano
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Porzio
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Evier Andrea Giovannini
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Umberto Emanuele Benigno
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Roberto Giammalva
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Gerardi
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lara Brunasso
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Costanzo
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Federica Paolini
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Sciortino
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Benedetta Maria Campisi
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Kevin Giardina
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Scalia
- Department of Neurosurgery, ARNAS Garibaldi, P.O. Garibaldi Nesima, 95122, Catania, Italy
| | - Domenico Gerardo Iacopino
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosario Maugeri
- Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Post Graduate Residency Program in NeurologiSurgery, Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
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Gagliardo CM, Noto D, Giammanco A, Maltese S, Vecchio L, Lavatura G, Cacciatore V, Barbagallo CM, Ganci A, Nardi E, Ciaccio M, Lo Presti R, Cefalù AB, Averna M. Statin-induced autoimmune myositis: a proposal of an "experience-based" diagnostic algorithm from the analysis of 69 patients. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:1095-1107. [PMID: 37147490 PMCID: PMC10326147 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03278-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Statin-induced autoimmune myositis (SIAM) represents a rare clinical entity that can be triggered by prolonged statin treatment. Its pathogenetic substrate consists of an autoimmune-mediated mechanism, evidenced by the detection of antibodies directed against the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (anti-HMGCR Ab), the target enzyme of statin therapies. To facilitate the diagnosis of nuanced SIAM clinical cases, the present study proposes an "experience-based" diagnostic algorithm for SIAM. We have analyzed the clinical data of 69 patients diagnosed with SIAM. Sixty-seven patients have been collected from the 55 available and complete case records regarding SIAM in the literature; the other 2 patients represent our direct clinical experience and their case records have been detailed. From the analysis of the clinical features of 69 patients, we have constructed the diagnostic algorithm, which starts from the recognition of suggestive symptoms of SIAM. Further steps provide for CK values dosage, musculoskeletal MR, EMG/ENG of upper-lower limbs and, Anti-HMGCR Ab testing and, where possible, the muscle biopsy. A global evaluation of the collected clinical features may suggest a more severe disease in female patients. Atorvastatin proved to be the most used hypolipidemic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Maria Gagliardo
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence "G. D. Alessandro" (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Street: Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Davide Noto
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence "G. D. Alessandro" (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Street: Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Antonina Giammanco
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence "G. D. Alessandro" (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Street: Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Silvia Maltese
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence "G. D. Alessandro" (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Street: Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luca Vecchio
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence "G. D. Alessandro" (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Street: Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lavatura
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence "G. D. Alessandro" (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Street: Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Cacciatore
- Complex Operating Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, "San Giovanni Di Dio" Hospital of Agrigento, Agrigento, Italy
| | - Carlo Maria Barbagallo
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence "G. D. Alessandro" (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Street: Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonina Ganci
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence "G. D. Alessandro" (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Street: Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Emilio Nardi
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence "G. D. Alessandro" (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Street: Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marcello Ciaccio
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosalia Lo Presti
- Department of Psychological, Pedagogical, Exercise and Training Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelo Baldassare Cefalù
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence "G. D. Alessandro" (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Street: Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Averna
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence "G. D. Alessandro" (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Street: Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy
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Veronese N, Honvo G, Bruyère O, Rizzoli R, Barbagallo M, Maggi S, Smith L, Sabico S, Al-Daghri N, Cooper C, Pegreffi F, Reginster JY. Knee osteoarthritis and adverse health outcomes: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies. Aging Clin Exp Res 2023; 35:245-252. [PMID: 36331799 PMCID: PMC9895027 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-022-02289-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition, associated with a high rate of disability and poor quality of life. Despite the importance of such evidence in public health, no umbrella review (i.e., a review of other systematic reviews and meta-analyses) has systematically assessed evidence on association between knee OA and adverse health outcomes. AIMS To map and grade all health outcomes associated with knee OA using an umbrella review approach. METHODS The search was made across several databases up to 22 April 2022. We used an umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies assessing the effect sizes, based on random effect summary, 95% prediction intervals, heterogeneity, small study effects, and excess significance bias. The evidence was then graded from convincing (class I) to weak (class IV). RESULTS Among 3,847 studies initially considered, five meta-analyses were included for a total of five different outcomes. Three adverse outcomes were significantly associated with knee OA (i.e., cardiovascular mortality, falls, and subclinical atherosclerosis). The presence of knee OA was associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (odds ratio, OR = 1.17; 95%CI, confidence intervals: 1.02-1.34), falls (RR = 1.34; 95%CI: 1.10-1.64), and conditions associated with subclinical atherosclerosis (OR = 1.43; 95%CI: 1.003-2.05). The certainty of each of this evidence was weak. CONCLUSIONS Our umbrella review suggests that knee OA can be considered as putative risk factor for some medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and falls, however, it is important to note that the evidence is affected by potential biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Veronese
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
- Chair for Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Germain Honvo
- World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Olivier Bruyère
- World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - René Rizzoli
- World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Division of Bone Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Shaun Sabico
- Chair for Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasser Al-Daghri
- Chair for Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Cyrus Cooper
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Francesco Pegreffi
- Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jean-Yves Reginster
- World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Savoca D, Pace A, Arizza V, Arculeo M, Melfi R. Controlled uptake of PFOA in adult specimens of Paracentrotus lividus and evaluation of gene expression in their gonads and embryos. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:26094-26106. [PMID: 36350439 PMCID: PMC9995410 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23940-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been largely used in the manufacturing industry but a few years ago it turned out to be a dangerous pollutant which is now of concern for terrestrial and aquatic environments. Here, we investigated the bioaccumulation of PFOA in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus after exposure to different concentrations of the pollutant for 28 days. We observed rapid uptake of PFOA in the coelomic fluid collected weekly during the exposure period and high bioaccumulation in gonads at the end of the experiment. Interestingly, animals were also able to fast depurate when relocated to a clean environment. In addition, to assess the effect of PFOA on sea urchins' physiological pathways, we analysed the expression profile of some marker genes both in the gonads and in the embryos obtained from parents exposed to PFOA. Our results suggest that PFOA is a persistent, bioaccumulative compound that adversely affects the health of the exposed organisms and their offspring by causing significant changes in the expression of some key target genes and the occurrence of developmental anomalies in the embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Savoca
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Andrea Pace
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Arculeo
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Raffaella Melfi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
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Noto LV, Cipolla G, Pumo D, Francipane A. Climate Change in the Mediterranean Basin (Part II): A Review of Challenges and Uncertainties in Climate Change Modeling and Impact Analyses. Water Resour Manage 2023; 37:2307-2323. [PMCID: PMC9891896 DOI: 10.1007/s11269-023-03444-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The Mediterranean basin is particularly prone to climate change and vulnerable to its impacts. One of the most relevant consequences of climate change, especially for the southern Mediterranean regions, is certainly water scarcity as result of a reduction of surface runoff and groundwater levels. Despite the progress achieved in recent years in the field of climate change and its impact on water resources, results and outcomes should be treated with due caution since any future climate projection and derived implications are inevitably affected by a certain degree of uncertainty arising from each different stage of the entire modeling chain. This work offers a comprehensive overview of recent works on climate change in the Mediterranean basin, mainly focusing on the last ten years of research. Past and future trends on different components of the hydrological balance are discussed in a companion paper (Noto et al. 2022 ), while the present paper focuses on the problem of water availability and water scarcity. In addition, the work aims to discuss the most relevant sources of uncertainty related to climate change with the aim to gain awareness of climate change impact studies interpretation and reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. V. Noto
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - G. Cipolla
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - D. Pumo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - A. Francipane
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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Culletta G, Almerico AM, Tutone M. Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): New Perspectives in the use of Sulfonamides as Modulators of P2X Receptors. Recent Adv Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov 2023; 17:88-95. [PMID: 36959140 DOI: 10.2174/2772270817666230320124000] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Culletta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche e Ambientali, Università di Messina, Messina, 98166, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Almerico
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Marco Tutone
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, 90123, Italy
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30
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Ippolito M, De Caro D, Ciraolo G, Minacapilli M, Provenzano G. Estimating crop coefficients and actual evapotranspiration in citrus orchards with sporadic cover weeds based on ground and remote sensing data. Irrig Sci 2023; 41:5-22. [PMID: 36778662 PMCID: PMC9898492 DOI: 10.1007/s00271-022-00829-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Accurate estimations of actual crop evapotranspiration are of utmost importance to evaluate crop water requirements and to optimize water use efficiency. At this aim, coupling simple agro-hydrological models, such as the well-known FAO-56 model, with remote observations of the land surface could represent an easy-to-use tool to identify biophysical parameters of vegetation, such as the crop coefficient Kc under the actual field conditions and to estimate actual crop evapotranspiration. This paper intends, therefore, to propose an operational procedure to evaluate the spatio-temporal variability of Kc in a citrus orchard characterized by the sporadic presence of ground weeds, based on micro-meteorological measurements collected on-ground and vegetation indices (VIs) retrieved by the Sentinel-2 sensors. A non-linear Kc(VIs) relationship was identified after assuming that the sum of two VIs, such as the normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI, and the normalized difference water index, NDWI, is suitable to represent the spatio-temporal dynamics of the investigated environment, characterized by sparse vegetation and the sporadic presence of spontaneous but transpiring soil weeds, typical of winter seasons and/or periods following events wetting the soil surface. The Kc values obtained in each cell of the Sentinel-2 grid (10 m) were then used as input of the spatially distributed FAO-56 model to estimate the variability of actual evapotranspiration (ETa) and the other terms of water balance. The performance of the proposed procedure was finally evaluated by comparing the estimated average soil water content and actual crop evapotranspiration with the corresponding ones measured on-ground. The application of the FAO-56 model indicated that the estimated ETa were characterized by root-mean-square-error, RMSE, and mean bias-error, MBE, of 0.48 and -0.13 mm d-1 respectively, while the estimated soil water contents, SWC, were characterized by RMSE equal to 0.01 cm3 cm-3 and the absence of bias, then confirming that the suggested procedure can produce highly accurate results in terms of dynamics of soil water content and actual crop evapotranspiration under the investigated field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Ippolito
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed.4, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Dario De Caro
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed.4, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ciraolo
- Engineering Department, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 8., 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Minacapilli
- Engineering Department, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 8., 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Provenzano
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed.4, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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Savoca D, Lo Coco R, Melfi R, Pace A. Uptake and photoinduced degradation of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in Ulva lactuca highlight its potential application in environmental bioremediation. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:90887-90897. [PMID: 35871716 PMCID: PMC9722868 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22142-5] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The bioaccumulation of phthalates was studied in fragments of Ulva lactuca exposed for a maximum of 31 days at different concentrations of a solution of six phthalic acid esters (PAEs). The algal matrix showed rapid uptake since the first sampling, which increased over the time of the experimental period, at the end of which seaweed's bioaccumulation potential was also evaluated. After the uptake, the algal matrix was subjected to UV irradiation in order to verify the removal of the phthalates. PAEs with higher octanol-water partition coefficients (logKow) and molecular weights were preferentially uptaken by U. lactuca in all the exposure experiments. It was observed that both accumulation (biota-sediment accumulation factor (log10BSAF) ranging from 3.75 to 4.02) and photodegradation (higher than 70% removal for all phthalates in 8 h) are more efficient at lower concentration levels. These results suggest the potential use of the algal matrices for environmental bioremediation, in order to mitigate the impact of pollution from ubiquitous pollutants such as PAEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Savoca
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Bd. 17, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Lo Coco
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Raffaella Melfi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Bd. 17, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Pace
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Bd. 17, 90128, Palermo, Italy
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Cataldo S, Muratore N, Giannici F, Bongiorno D, Chiodo V, Maisano S, Pettignano A. Hydrocarbons removal from synthetic bilge water by adsorption onto biochars of dead Posidonia oceanica. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:90231-90247. [PMID: 35869342 PMCID: PMC9722887 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21998-x] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bilge waters are wastewaters produced on boats during navigation and usually contain hydrocarbons and oils. They cannot be directly released into the sea if not below a hydrocarbons concentration limit set by current legislation. Appropriate oil in water separator (OWS) systems can be installed on board boats to remove hydrocarbons from bilge water allowing their spillage into the sea. These systems may contain an adsorption step on a suitable adsorbent. Here, biochars produced from pyrolysis of dead Posidonia oceanica, pristine or chemically activated, have been tested as hydrocarbons adsorbents. Adsorption experiments with aqueous dispersions simulating bilge waters containing a marine gas oil (MGO) fuel for boats, a surfactant, and different NaCl concentrations were carrying out. The hydrocarbons concentrations before and after adsorption have been directly measured by using the reverse phase HPLC technique coupled with a fluorescence detector. These measurements are very fast and their reliability was verified by re-measuring the hydrocarbons concentrations of some samples with the GC-MS-MS technique, according to one of the traditional methods for hydrocarbons determination in emulsions. Different isotherm equations were used to fit the adsorption data. The biochars were characterized from the chemical-structural point of view by means of several instrumental techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Cataldo
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica - Emilio Segrè, Università di Palermo, V.le delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Nicola Muratore
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica - Emilio Segrè, Università di Palermo, V.le delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Giannici
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica - Emilio Segrè, Università di Palermo, V.le delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - David Bongiorno
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, V.le delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vitaliano Chiodo
- Istituto CNR-ITAE, via Salita S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5, 98126, Messina, Italy
| | - Susanna Maisano
- Istituto CNR-ITAE, via Salita S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5, 98126, Messina, Italy
| | - Alberto Pettignano
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica - Emilio Segrè, Università di Palermo, V.le delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
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Vittorietti M, Giambalvo O, Genova VG, Aiello F. A new measure for the attitude to mobility of Italian students and graduates: a topological data analysis approach. STAT METHOD APPL-GER 2022; 32:1-35. [PMID: 36311813 PMCID: PMC9589705 DOI: 10.1007/s10260-022-00666-x] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Students' and graduates' mobility is an interesting topic of discussion especially for the Italian education system and universities. The main reasons for migration and for the so called brain drain, can be found in the socio-economic context and in the famous North-South divide. Measuring mobility and understanding its dynamic over time and space are not trivial tasks. Most of the studies in the related literature focus on the determinants of such phenomenon, in this paper, instead, combining tools coming from graph theory and Topological Data Analysis we propose a new measure for the attitude to mobility. Each mobility trajectory is represented by a graph and the importance of the features constituting the graph are evaluated over time using persistence diagrams. The attitude to mobility of the students is then ranked computing the distance between the individual persistence diagram and the theoretical persistence diagram of the stayer student. The new approach is used for evaluating the mobility of the students that in 2008 enrolled in an Italian university. The relation between attitude to mobility and the main socio-demographic variables is investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Vittorietti
- Department of Economics, Business and Statistics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ornella Giambalvo
- Department of Economics, Business and Statistics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Aiello
- Department of Economics and Law, University ’Kore’ of Enna, Enna, Italy
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Veronese N, Bolzetta F, Cacco C, Cester A, Smith L, Demurtas J, Cooper C, Rizzoli R, Caruso MG, Notarnicola M, Reginster JY, Maggi S, Barbagallo M, Trott M, Dominguez LJ. Dietary acrylamide and incident osteoporotic fractures: an 8-year prospective cohort study. Aging Clin Exp Res 2022; 34:2441-2448. [PMID: 35962898 PMCID: PMC9637630 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-022-02214-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acrylamide, a component of fried foods, has been associated with several negative health outcomes. However, the relationship between dietary acrylamide and osteoporotic fractures has been explored by a few cross-sectional studies. AIMS To investigate if dietary acrylamide is associated with the onset of fractures in North American participants at high risk/having knee osteoarthritis (OA), over 8 years of follow-up. METHODS A Cox's regression analysis, adjusted for baseline confounders was run and the data were reported as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Dietary acrylamide intake was assessed at the baseline using a food frequency questionnaire and categorized in tertiles (T), whilst fractures' history was recorded using self-reported information. RESULTS Altogether, 4,436 participants were included. Compared to participants with lower acrylamide intake (T1; < 3,313 μg), those with a higher acrylamide intake (T3; > 10,180 μg) reported a significantly higher risk of any fracture (HR = 1.37; 95% CI 1.12-1.68; p for trend = 0.009), forearm (HR = 1.73; 95% CI 1.09-2.77; p for trend = 0.04), spine (HR = 2.21; 95% CI 1.14-4.31; p for trend = 0.04), and hip fracture (HR = 4.09; 95% CI 1.29-12.96; p for trend = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first to report that high dietary acrylamide may be associated with an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Veronese
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, via del Vespro, 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Francesco Bolzetta
- Medical Department, Geriatric Unit, Azienda ULSS (Unità Locale Socio Sanitaria, Dolo-Mirano District, 3 "Serenissima", Dolo, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Cester
- Medical Department, Geriatric Unit, Azienda ULSS (Unità Locale Socio Sanitaria, Dolo-Mirano District, 3 "Serenissima", Dolo, Italy
| | - Lee Smith
- The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK
| | - Jacopo Demurtas
- Primary Care Department, Azienda USL Toscana Sud Est, Grosseto, Italy
| | - Cyrus Cooper
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Renè Rizzoli
- Division of Bone Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria Gabriella Caruso
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS De Bellis, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Notarnicola
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS De Bellis, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jean-Yves Reginster
- Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, CHU Sart Tilman B23, Liège, Belgium
| | - Stefania Maggi
- Aging Branch, Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council, 35121, Padua, Italy
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, via del Vespro, 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mike Trott
- The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK
- Vision and Eye Research Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ligia J Dominguez
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, via del Vespro, 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna "Kore", Enna, Italy
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Montana G, Giarrusso R, D’Amico R, Di Natale B, Vizzini MA, Ilardi V, Mulone A, Randazzo L, Bordenca CV. Multi-analytical study of the medieval wall paintings from the rupestrian church Grotta del Crocifisso at Lentini (eastern Sicily): new evidence of the use of woad ( Isatis tinctoria). Archaeol Anthropol Sci 2022; 14:183. [PMID: 36091099 PMCID: PMC9440324 DOI: 10.1007/s12520-022-01656-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED This study presents the results of the examination and characterisation of the wall paintings that decorate the rupestrian church named Grotta del Crocifisso, which is located in the territory of Lentini (eastern Sicily, few tens of kilometres from Catania and Syracuse). The earliest mural paintings in the church date back to the twelfth century AD. A multi-analytical approach was adopted for the characterisation of stone materials, secondary degradation products, and pigments. For this purpose, the following techniques were used: reflected light microscopy (RLM), polarised light microscopy on thin sections (PLM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy (RS). The lithic substrate and the plaster's coating layers were thoroughly characterised from compositional and textural points of view, and the use of locally available raw materials was established. Similarly, the newly formed crystalline phases produced by alteration processes of the original materials were recognised. The red, yellow, brown, and green pigments were easily identified by p-XRF and SEM-EDS. The use of "earth pigments" widely available in the surrounding area (various types of ochre) was thus highlighted. The recognition of the dark blue pigment created some additional issues in its identification, making further diagnostic methods necessary. In fact, the use of the most common mineral pigments was categorically excluded by both p-XRF and SEM-EDS, since no chromophore metallic elements were highlighted with the exception of trace amounts of iron. A combination of detailed microscopic observations together with the application of FTIR and RS supported the use of an organic pigment obtained from the maceration of woad (Isatis tinctoria). The green pigment is the result of a mixture between woad and yellow ochre. Woad is even today easily available in Sicily, and some additional experimental tests were carried out on Isatis tinctoria that had been freshly collected in the area (treated with traditional procedures). Over the past centuries, woad was widely used for dyeing fabrics, but its practice for wall paintings has only been sporadically proven. The identification reported in this case study could be considered a novelty at least in the Sicilian panorama. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12520-022-01656-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Montana
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Renato Giarrusso
- GEOLAB s.r.l Laboratorio di Ricerca e Sperimentazione sui Materiali, Via de Spuches, Carini, Palermo, Italy
| | - Raffaella D’Amico
- Conservator-Restorer, Parco Archeologico di Leontinoi (Regione Siciliana), Siracusa, Lentini Italy
| | | | - Mirko Andrea Vizzini
- GEOLAB s.r.l Laboratorio di Ricerca e Sperimentazione sui Materiali, Via de Spuches, Carini, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ilardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelo Mulone
- GEOLAB s.r.l Laboratorio di Ricerca e Sperimentazione sui Materiali, Via de Spuches, Carini, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luciana Randazzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudio Ventura Bordenca
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Veronese N, Cooper C, Bruyère O, Al-Daghri NM, Branco J, Cavalier E, Cheleschi S, da Silva Rosa MC, Conaghan PG, Dennison EM, de Wit M, Fioravanti A, Fuggle NR, Haugen IK, Herrero-Beaumont G, Honvo G, Laslop A, Matijevic R, Migliore A, Mobasheri A, Pelletier JP, Prieto Yerro MC, Radermecker RP, Rannou F, Rizzoli R, Reginster JY. Multimodal Multidisciplinary Management of Patients with Moderate to Severe Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Need to Meet Patient Expectations. Drugs 2022; 82:1347-1355. [PMID: 36112341 PMCID: PMC9512723 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-022-01773-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common and disabling medical conditions. In the case of moderate to severe pain, a single intervention may not be sufficient to allay symptoms and improve quality of life. Examples include first-line, background therapy with symptomatic slow-acting drugs for OA (SYSADOAs) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Therefore, the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) performed a review of a multimodal/multicomponent approach for knee OA therapy. This strategy is a particularly appropriate solution for the management of patients affected by knee OA, including those with pain and dysfunction reaching various thresholds at the different joints. The multimodal/multicomponent approach should be based, firstly, on different combinations of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Potential pharmacological combinations include SYSADOAs and NSAIDs, NSAIDs and weak opioids, and intra-articular treatments with SYSADOAs/NSAIDs. Based on the available evidence, most combined treatments provide benefit beyond single agents for the improvement of pain and other symptoms typical of knee OA, although further high-quality studies are required. In this work, we have therefore provided new, patient-centered perspectives for the management of knee OA, based on the concept that a multimodal, multicomponent, multidisciplinary approach, applied not only to non-pharmacological treatments but also to a combination of the currently available pharmacological options, will better meet the needs and expectations of patients with knee OA, who may present with various phenotypes and trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Veronese
- Geriatrics Section, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, via del Vespro, 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Cyrus Cooper
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Olivier Bruyère
- Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, WHO Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Musculo-Skeletal Health and Ageing, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate 13, CHU B23, 4000, Liege, Belgium
| | - Nasser M Al-Daghri
- Chair for Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jaime Branco
- Department of Rheumatology, CHRC, NOVA Medical School, CHLO, EPE, Hospital Egas Moniz, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Etienne Cavalier
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Liège, CHU Sart-Tilman, Bât B35, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Sara Cheleschi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Policlinico Le Scotte, Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Philip G Conaghan
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Elaine M Dennison
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Maarten de Wit
- Chair EULAR Study Group for Collaborative Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Antonella Fioravanti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Policlinico Le Scotte, Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Nicholas R Fuggle
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ida K Haugen
- Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gabriel Herrero-Beaumont
- Head of Rheumatology Department, Bone and Joint Research Unit, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz UAM, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Germain Honvo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, Liege, Belgium
| | - Andrea Laslop
- Scientific Office, Austrian Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, Federal Office for Safety in Health Care, Vienna, Austria
| | - Radmila Matijevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Alberto Migliore
- Unit of Rheumatology, San Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Ali Mobasheri
- Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, WHO Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Musculo-Skeletal Health and Ageing, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate 13, CHU B23, 4000, Liege, Belgium
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, LT-08406, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Departments of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Departments of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Departments of Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Joint Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jean-Pierre Pelletier
- Osteoarthritis Research Unit, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) and Arthritis Division, University of Montreal Hospital Centre (CHUM), Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Régis Pierre Radermecker
- Department of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders, Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liège, CHU de Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - François Rannou
- Service de Rééducation et de Réadaptation de l'Appareil Locomoteur et des Pathologies du Rachis, Hôpitaux Universitaires-Paris Centre, Groupe Hospitalier Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université de Paris, INSERM U1124, Paris, France
| | - René Rizzoli
- Division of Bone Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Yves Reginster
- Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, WHO Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Musculo-Skeletal Health and Ageing, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate 13, CHU B23, 4000, Liege, Belgium
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Valenti GD, Bottaro R, Faraci P. Effects of Difficulty in Handling Emotions and Social Interactions on Nomophobia: Examining the Mediating Role of Feelings of Loneliness. Int J Ment Health Addict 2022:1-15. [PMID: 35919865 PMCID: PMC9333349 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-022-00888-w] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was addressed to assess nomophobia in an Italian sample (N = 456, 53.1% men, M age = 31.8, SD = 11.1), also providing a deeper knowledge about how it is distributed across demographics, as well as identifying its best predictors. The main goal was to investigate the direct and indirect effects of difficulty in emotion regulation and social interaction anxiety on nomophobia through loneliness. Our findings indicated that loneliness explained the effect of the expressive suppression strategy (fully) and social interaction anxiety (partially) on nomophobia, whereas it was not a significant mediator when the cognitive reappraisal strategy was taken into account. Our study suggests that loneliness during the pandemic plays a crucial role in explaining the associations between the investigated predictors and the outcome variable, offering a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this emerging construct. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, and shortcomings and suggestions for future works are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy D. Valenti
- Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Human Movement, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Rossella Bottaro
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Enna “Kore”, Enna, Italy
| | - Palmira Faraci
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Enna “Kore”, Enna, Italy
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Pavan D, Morello F, Monachino F, Rovere G, Camarda L, Pitarresi G. Similar biomechanical properties of four tripled tendon graft models for ACL reconstruction. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2022; 142:1155-1165. [PMID: 34338886 PMCID: PMC9110441 DOI: 10.1007/s00402-021-04030-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present study tested and compared the biomechanical properties of four different triplicate graft tendon techniques. METHODS 32 tripled tendons from the common extensor muscle of bovine fingers were tested on a material testing machine, passing the end loop over a metal rod of a clevis connected to the load cell on the upper side, and fixing the lower end to a clamp. The samples were divided into four groups: (A) tripled with a free end sutured only to one of the two fixed bundles (B) tripled with a free end positioned between the two fixed strands and sutured to both (C) tripled with an S-shape and all the three strands sutured together at the upper and lower extremities of the graft (D) partially quadrupled with the free end sutured together with the other three bundles at the upper extremity. Each sample was pretensioned at 50 N for 10 min and then subjected to 1000 load control cycles between 50 and 250 N. Finally, each sample was subjected to a load to failure test. Authors also present some preliminary results on the feasibility of a non-contact and full-field Thermoelastic Stress Analysis technique, based on Infrared Thermography, to evaluate the level of stress on the whole graft, and hence on each strand, during fatigue loading. RESULTS Eighty five percent of the samples failed at the level of the clamp. The cyclical elongation progressively decreased in all the samples and there was a simultaneous increase in stiffness. An increased stiffness was noted between Group 2 vs Group 3 and Group 2 vs Group 4 at the 500th and 1000th cycle. The failure loads were as follows: (a) 569.10 N, (b) 632.28 N, (c) 571.68 N, (d) 616.95 N. None of the parameters showed a statistically significant difference between the four groups. CONCLUSION This study reported similar biomechanical behavior of four different models of tripled grafts suitable for ACL reconstruction. In addition, the biomechanics of overall tripled tendon grafts seems more affected by the viscoelastic property of the tendon itself rather than the preparation method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Pavan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Palermo (DiChirOnS), Via del Vespro, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Federica Morello
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Palermo (DiChirOnS), Via del Vespro, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Monachino
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Palermo (DiChirOnS), Via del Vespro, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rovere
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS-Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Lawrence Camarda
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Palermo (DiChirOnS), Via del Vespro, 90100, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Pitarresi
- Department of Engineering, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze ed.8, 90128, Palermo, Italy
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Licata A, Minissale MG, Giannitrapani L, Montalto FA, Lombardo C, Mirarchi L, Amodeo S, Soresi M, Montalto G. Comorbidities impact and de-prescribing in elderly with HCV-related liver disease: analysis of a prospective cohort. Intern Emerg Med 2022; 17:43-51. [PMID: 33909256 PMCID: PMC8841322 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-021-02741-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Management for HCV has undergone a notable change using direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs), which are safe and effective even in elderly. Here, we define impact of comorbidities, concomitant medication and drug-drug interactions in elder patients with HCV related disease before starting DAAs regimen. We analyzed data of 814 patients prospectively enrolled at our Unit within the web based model HCV Sicily Network. Out of 814, 590 were treated with DAAs and 414 of them were older than 65 years. We divided those 414 in two groups, one including 215 patients, aged between 65 and 74 years, and another with 199 patients, aged of 75 years and over. Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was assessed for each patient; drug-drug interactions (DDI) and de-prescribing process were carried out appropriately. Within 414 patients included, percentage rates of women treated was higher than males, BMI was lower and cirrhosis was frequently reported in patients older than 75 years. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia (p < 0.0001), prostatic pathologies, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disease (p < 0.0001), osteoporosis (p < 0.01) and depression were most common co-morbidities. CCI showed lower scores in the first group as compared with the second one (p < 0.0001). Among drugs, statins were frequently suspended and anti-hypertensive often replaced. DAAs are useful and effective regardless of disease severity, comorbidities, medications and age. De-prescribing allows a stable reduction of number of medications taken with real improvement of quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Licata
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo Medical School, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Maria Giovanna Minissale
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo Medical School, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lydia Giannitrapani
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo Medical School, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
- Instiute for Biomedica Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Filippo A Montalto
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo Medical School, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Clelia Lombardo
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo Medical School, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luigi Mirarchi
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo Medical School, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Amodeo
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo Medical School, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Soresi
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo Medical School, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalto
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo Medical School, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
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Veronese N, Smith L, Zigoura E, Barbagallo M, Dominguez LJ, Barone A, Cella A, Cooper C, Rizzoli R, Reginster JY, Maggi S, Pilotto A. Multidimensional prognostic index and the risk of fractures: an 8-year longitudinal cohort study in the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Arch Osteoporos 2021; 17:5. [PMID: 34905117 PMCID: PMC8669664 DOI: 10.1007/s11657-021-01015-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In this longitudinal study, with a follow-up of 8 years, multidimensional prognostic index (MPI), a product of the comprehensive geriatric assessment, significantly predicted the onset of fractures in older people affected by knee osteoarthritis. PURPOSE Frailty may be associated with higher fracture risk, but limited research has been carried out using a multidimensional approach to frailty assessment and diagnosis. The present research aimed to investigate whether the MPI, based on comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), is associated with the risk of fractures in the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) study. METHODS Community-dwellers affected by knee OA or at high risk for this condition were followed-up for 8 years. A standardized CGA including information on functional, nutritional, mood, comorbidity, medication, quality of life, and co-habitation status was used to calculate the MPI. Fractures were diagnosed using self-reported information. Cox's regression analysis was carried out and results are reported as hazard ratios (HRs), with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS The sample consisted of 4024 individuals (mean age 61.0 years, females = 59.0%). People with incident fractures had a significant higher MPI baseline value than those without (0.42 ± 0.18 vs. 0.40 ± 0.17). After adjusting for several potential confounders, people with an MPI over 0.66 (HR = 1.49; 95%CI: 1.11-2.00) experienced a higher risk of fractures. An increase in 0.10 point in MPI score corresponded to an increase in fracture risk of 4% (HR = 1.04; 95%CI: 1.008-1.07). Higher MPI values were also associated with a higher risk of non-vertebral clinical fractures. CONCLUSION Higher MPI values at baseline were associated with an increased risk of fractures, reinforcing the importance of CGA in predicting fractures in older people affected by knee OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Veronese
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 141 90127, Palermo, Italy.
- Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Lee Smith
- The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ekaterini Zigoura
- Department Geriatric Care, Orthogeriatrics and Rehabilitation, Frailty Area, E.O. Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 141 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ligia J Dominguez
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 141 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Barone
- Department Geriatric Care, Orthogeriatrics and Rehabilitation, Frailty Area, E.O. Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Cella
- Department Geriatric Care, Orthogeriatrics and Rehabilitation, Frailty Area, E.O. Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Cyrus Cooper
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Renè Rizzoli
- Division of Bone Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Yves Reginster
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, Liège, Belgium
- Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, CHU Sart Tilman B23, 4000, Liège, Belgium
- Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Stefania Maggi
- Aging Branch, Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council, Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Pilotto
- Department Geriatric Care, Orthogeriatrics and Rehabilitation, Frailty Area, E.O. Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Guarnotta V, Ferrigno R, Martino M, Barbot M, Isidori AM, Scaroni C, Ferrante A, Arnaldi G, Pivonello R, Giordano C. Glucocorticoid excess and COVID-19 disease. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2021; 22:703-714. [PMID: 33025384 PMCID: PMC7538187 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-020-09598-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is causing high and rapid morbidity and mortality. Immune system response plays a crucial role in controlling and resolving the viral infection. Exogenous or endogenous glucocorticoid excess is characterized by increased susceptibility to infections, due to impairment of the innate and adaptive immune system. In addition, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and thromboembolism are conditions overrepresented in patients with hypercortisolism. Thus patients with chronic glucocorticoid (GC) excess may be at high risk of developing COVID-19 infection with a severe clinical course. Care and control of all comorbidities should be one of the primary goals in patients with hypercortisolism requiring immediate and aggressive treatment. The European Society of Endocrinology (ESE), has recently commissioned an urgent clinical guidance document on management of Cushing's syndrome in a COVID-19 period. In this review, we aim to discuss and expand some clinical points related to GC excess that may have an impact on COVID-19 infection, in terms of both contagion risk and clinical outcome. This document is addressed to all specialists who approach patients with endogenous or exogenous GC excess and COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Guarnotta
- Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza "G. D'Alessandro", UOC di Malattie endocrine, del Ricambio e della Nutrizione, Università degli studi di Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosario Ferrigno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Martino
- Clinica di Endocrinologia e Malattie del Metabolismo, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Molecolari (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Mattia Barbot
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, DIME University-Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Policlinico Umberto I, COVID Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Scaroni
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, DIME University-Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Angelo Ferrante
- Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza "G. D'Alessandro", UO di Reumatologia, Università degli studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Arnaldi
- Clinica di Endocrinologia e Malattie del Metabolismo, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Molecolari (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Rosario Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Carla Giordano
- Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza "G. D'Alessandro", UOC di Malattie endocrine, del Ricambio e della Nutrizione, Università degli studi di Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
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Grassia M, Messia MC, Marconi E, Demirkol ȪŞ, Erdoğdu F, Sarghini F, Cinquanta L, Corona O, Planeta D. Microencapsulation of Phenolic Extracts from Cocoa Shells to Enrich Chocolate Bars. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 2021; 76:449-457. [PMID: 34490555 PMCID: PMC8629859 DOI: 10.1007/s11130-021-00917-4] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Cocoa bean shells were subjected to green extraction technologies, based on the absence of toxic organic solvents, to recover polyphenols; the extract was then encapsulated using a spray dryer and maltodextrin as coating agent. The best conditions observed in the spray drying tests (core-to-coating ratio 1:5; inlet temperature 150 °C; flow rate 6 ml min-1) were applied to produce the microcapsules used to enrich the same cocoa mass as the shells and processed for the preparation of the chocolate bars. Sensory analysis showed no significant differences between enriched chocolate bar and the unenriched reference one, except for the appearance. Both samples were then subjected to accelerated storage tests, at the end of which the polyphenols in the control chocolate bar (0.85 g 100 g-1) were reduced by about 50% (0.42 g 100 g-1), while in the enriched chocolate (1.17 g 100 g-1) by only 22% (0.97 g 100 g-1). The proposed process significantly enriched the chocolate bars with phenolic antioxidants recovered from cocoa waste without increasing the sensations of bitterness and astringency.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Grassia
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - M C Messia
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - E Marconi
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Ȫ Şakiyan Demirkol
- Department of Food Engineering, Ankara University, 06830, Ankara, Turkey
| | - F Erdoğdu
- Department of Food Engineering, Ankara University, 06830, Ankara, Turkey
| | - F Sarghini
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università, 100, 80055, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - L Cinquanta
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 4, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
| | - O Corona
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 4, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - D Planeta
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 4, 90128, Palermo, Italy
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Veronese N, Smith L, Barbagallo M, Giannelli G, Caruso MG, Cisternino AM, Notarnicola M, Cao C, Waldhoer T, Yang L. Neurological diseases and COVID-19: prospective analyses using the UK Biobank. Acta Neurol Belg 2021; 121:1295-1303. [PMID: 33954931 PMCID: PMC8098789 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-021-01693-3] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease-19) may present with neurological signs, but whether people already affected by neurological conditions are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 is still not known. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the association of previously diagnosed neurological conditions with COVID-19. 502,536 community-dwelling UK Biobank participants (54.4% male, mean age 56.6 ± 10.3 years) were included. Among these, 57,463 participants had a diagnosis of neurological conditions (11.43%) and a total of 1326 COVID-19-positive cases were identified (0.26%). Neurological conditions were identified through medical history and linkage to data on hospital admissions (ICD-10 code G00–G99). COVID-19 presence was diagnosed using the data provided by Public Health England. The association of previous diagnosis of neurological conditions with COVID-19 was evaluated through logistic regressions, adjusted for potential confounders, reported as odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders (G50–G59) were the most common conditions identified. The presence of COVID-19 was almost doubled in neurological conditions compared to the general population (0.45 vs. 0.24%, p < 0.0001). Previously diagnosed neurological conditions were associated with 60% higher odds of COVID-19 positive in the multivariable-adjusted model (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.4–1.8). Other degenerative diseases of the nervous system, extrapyramidal and movement disorders, polyneuropathies and other disorders of the peripheral nervous system, cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes were significantly associated with a higher odds of COVID-19. The presence of neurological conditions was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of COVID-19 compared to the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Veronese
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Lee Smith
- The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Caruso
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Cisternino
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Maria Notarnicola
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Chao Cao
- Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Thomas Waldhoer
- Department of Epidemiology, Centre for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Cancer Control Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
- Departments of Oncology and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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La Scalia G, Saeli M, Miglietta PP, Micale R. Coffee biowaste valorization within circular economy: an evaluation method of spent coffee grounds potentials for mortar production. Int J Life Cycle Assess 2021; 26:1805-1815. [PMID: 34566270 PMCID: PMC8449833 DOI: 10.1007/s11367-021-01968-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are biowastes extensively generated within the coffee supply chain. Nowadays, their disposal represents an increasing environmental concern due to its toxicity and organic nature. With the estimated increase of coffee production and consumption in the upcoming years, there is an imperative need to find a proper reverse option, along with a novel industrial application, which allows for the valorization of this coffee by-product within a circular economy perspective. This study aims at investigating a potential reuse of spent coffee grounds to produce novel construction materials to be used for sustainable buildings. METHODS After having illustrated the forward flows within the coffee life cycle and the potential reverse flow options, an evaluation method based on multi-criteria analyses was elaborated to test not only the technical but also the environmental and economic performances of novel materials originating from the incorporation of SCG as an aggregate in natural hydraulic lime and geopolymer-based mortars. Moreover, we focus on the reuse of another waste streams- biomass fly ash-deriving from the paper-pulp industry, rarely investigated in both traditional construction applications and in geopolymer manufacture. The two (geopolymer- and lime-based) mortar typologies are here studied and compared as potential green material for applications in construction, with satisfying engineering performance and high insulation attitude, giving a new life to a common organic waste. Consequently, we compare eight formulations by means of multi-criteria approaches that are nowadays claimed as a useful and effective decision aiding support instrument to assess the development of new sustainable construction materials. They permit to consider simultaneously some controversial and often uncertain aspects like technological (as the usual scientific studies do), environmental, and economic (more difficult to easily approach and evaluate). For this purpose, in this paper, we have analyzed the performance of the novel bio-composite mortars using VIKOR and TOPSIS methods to rank a set of alternatives according to various evaluation criteria that often conflict one with each other. RESULTS Results show that adding spent coffee grounds can efficiently improve the technical and sustainable performances of the novel mortars for different applications in the building sector. The presence of SCG increases water absorption and improves the insulation performance along with an environmental impact reduction. The considered technological properties are highly promising-such as the improvement in thermal insulation. In particular, even the addition of only 5% SCG leads to a significant reduction of the thermal conductivity and consequently to a greater insulating performance. CONCLUSIONS To date, most of the available literature on recycling SCG in construction materials do not consider mortar-based applications and, moreover, nor multi-criteria approaches. Therefore, our study proposes itself as an innovative track solution to food waste management lowering the employment of non-renewable natural resources and the costs associated to construction material production. At the same time, a novel and innovative way of such waste disposal is suggested, pursuing the sustainability and substantially reducing the environmental impact of construction and building materials. This study is a fundamental step in assessing the applicability of our designed and produced materials and its potentials to be produced at an industrial scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada La Scalia
- Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Bld 8, Palermo, Italy
| | - Manfredi Saeli
- Department of Architecture, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Bld 8-14, Palermo, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Miglietta
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, Lecce, Italy
| | - Rosa Micale
- Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Bld 8, Palermo, Italy
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Giordano G, Napolitano M, Di Battista V, Lucchesi A. Oral high-dose sucrosomial iron vs intravenous iron in sideropenic anemia patients intolerant/refractory to iron sulfate: a multicentric randomized study. Ann Hematol 2021; 100:2173-2179. [PMID: 33263170 PMCID: PMC8357646 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-020-04361-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Iron deficiency anemia is among the most frequent causes of disability. Intravenous iron is the quickest way to correct iron deficiency, bypassing the bottleneck of iron intestinal absorption, the only true mechanism of iron balance regulation in human body. Intravenous iron administration is suggested in patients who are refractory/intolerant to oral iron sulfate. However, the intravenous way of iron administration requires several precautions; as the in-hospital administration requires a resuscitation service, as imposed in Europe by the European Medicine Agency, it is very expensive and negatively affects patient's perceived quality of life. A new oral iron formulation, Sucrosomial iron, bypassing the normal way of absorption, seems to be cost-effective in correcting iron deficiency anemia at doses higher than those usually effective with other oral iron formulations. In this multicentric randomized study, we analyze the cost-effectiveness of intravenous sodium ferrigluconate vs oral Sucrosomial iron in patients with iron deficiency anemia refractory/intolerant to oral iron sulfate without other interfering factors on iron absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Giordano
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hematology Service, Regional Hospital "A. Cardarelli", Campobasso, Italy
| | - Mariasanta Napolitano
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), Haematology Unit, University Hospital "P. Giaccone", University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Valeria Di Battista
- Hematology Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Alessandro Lucchesi
- Hematology Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
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Di Bona D, Malovini A, Accardi G, Aiello A, Candore G, Ferrario A, Ligotti ME, Maciag A, Puca AA, Caruso C. Taste receptor polymorphisms and longevity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:2369-2377. [PMID: 33170488 PMCID: PMC8429150 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-020-01745-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Bitter taste receptors (TAS2R) are involved in a variety of non-tasting physiological processes, including immune-inflammatory ones. Therefore, their genetic variations might influence various traits. In particular, in different populations of South Italy (Calabria, Cilento, and Sardinia), polymorphisms of TAS2R16 and TAS238 have been analysed in association with longevity with inconsistent results. A meta-analytic approach to quantitatively synthesize the possible effect of the previous variants and, possibly, to reconcile the inconsistencies has been used in the present paper. TAS2R38 variants in the Cilento population were also analysed for their possible association with longevity and the obtained data have been included in the relative meta-analysis. In population from Cilento no association was found between TAS2R38 and longevity, and no association was observed as well, performing the meta-analysis with data of the other studies. Concerning TAS2R16 gene, instead, the genotype associated with longevity in the Calabria population maintained its significance in the meta-analysis with data from Cilento population, that, alone, were not significant in the previously published study. In conclusion, our results suggest that TAS2R16 genotype variant is associated with longevity in South Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Di Bona
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari-Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Alberto Malovini
- Laboratory of Informatics and Systems Engineering for Clinical Research, Clinical Scientific Institutes Maugeri, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulia Accardi
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, Corso Tuköry, 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Aiello
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, Corso Tuköry, 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, Corso Tuköry, 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Ferrario
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, IRCCS MultiMedica, 20138, Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia E Ligotti
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, Corso Tuköry, 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Maciag
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, IRCCS MultiMedica, 20138, Milan, Italy
| | - Annibale A Puca
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, IRCCS MultiMedica, 20138, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Calogero Caruso
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, Corso Tuköry, 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy.
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Corrao S, Nobili A, Natoli G, Mannucci PM, Perticone F, Pietrangelo A, Argano C. Hyperglycemia at admission, comorbidities, and in-hospital mortality in elderly patients hospitalized in internal medicine wards: data from the RePoSI Registry. Acta Diabetol 2021; 58:1225-1236. [PMID: 33890176 PMCID: PMC8316168 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-021-01716-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The association between hyperglycemia at hospital admission and relevant short- and long-term outcomes in elderly population is known. We assessed the effects on mortality of hyperglycemia, disability, and multimorbidity at admission in internal medicine ward in patients aged ≥ 65 years. METHODS Data were collected from an active register of 102 internal medicine and geriatric wards in Italy (RePoSi project). Patients were recruited during four index weeks of a year. Socio-demographic data, reason for hospitalization, diagnoses, treatment, severity and comorbidity indexes (Cumulative Illness rating Scale CIRS-SI and CIRS-CI), renal function, functional (Barthel Index), and cognitive status (Short Blessed Test) and mood disorders (Geriatric Depression Scale) were recorded. Mortality rates were assessed in hospital 3 and 12 months after discharge. RESULTS Of the 4714 elderly patients hospitalized, 361 had a glycemia level ≥ 250 mg/dL at admission. Compared to subjects with lower glycemia level, patients with glycemia ≥ 250 mg/dL showed higher rates of male sex, smoke and class III obesity. These patients had a significantly lower Barthel Index (p = 0.0249), higher CIRS-SI and CIRS-CI scores (p = 0.0025 and p = 0.0013, respectively), and took more drugs. In-hospital mortality rate was 9.2% and 5.1% in subjects with glycemia ≥ 250 and < 250 mg/dL, respectively (p = 0.0010). Regression analysis showed a strong association between in-hospital death and glycemia ≥ 250 mg/dL (OR 2.07; [95% CI 1.34-3.19]), Barthel Index ≤ 40 (3.28[2.44-4.42]), CIRS-SI (1.87[1.27-2.77]), and male sex (1.54[1.16-2.03]). CONCLUSIONS The stronger predictors of in-hospital mortality for older patients admitted in general wards were glycemia level ≥ 250 mg/dL, Barthel Index ≤ 40, CIRS-SI, and male sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Corrao
- Department of Internal Medicine, UOC Medicina Interna 2 iGR, National Relevance Hospital Trust, ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina e Benfratelli, Piazza Nicola Leotta, 4 - 90127, Palermo, Italy.
- Biomedical Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiBiMIS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Nobili
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Natoli
- Department of Internal Medicine, UOC Medicina Interna 2 iGR, National Relevance Hospital Trust, ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina e Benfratelli, Piazza Nicola Leotta, 4 - 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Perticone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonello Pietrangelo
- Department of Internal Medicine II, CenterforHemochromatosis, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Policlinico, Modena, Italy
| | - Christiano Argano
- Department of Internal Medicine, UOC Medicina Interna 2 iGR, National Relevance Hospital Trust, ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina e Benfratelli, Piazza Nicola Leotta, 4 - 90127, Palermo, Italy
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Li Petri G, Raimondi MV, Spanò V, Holl R, Barraja P, Montalbano A. Pyrrolidine in Drug Discovery: A Versatile Scaffold for Novel Biologically Active Compounds. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2021; 379:34. [PMID: 34373963 PMCID: PMC8352847 DOI: 10.1007/s41061-021-00347-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The five-membered pyrrolidine ring is one of the nitrogen heterocycles used widely by medicinal chemists to obtain compounds for the treatment of human diseases. The great interest in this saturated scaffold is enhanced by (1) the possibility to efficiently explore the pharmacophore space due to sp3-hybridization, (2) the contribution to the stereochemistry of the molecule, (3) and the increased three-dimensional (3D) coverage due to the non-planarity of the ring-a phenomenon called "pseudorotation". In this review, we report bioactive molecules with target selectivity characterized by the pyrrolidine ring and its derivatives, including pyrrolizines, pyrrolidine-2-one, pyrrolidine-2,5-diones and prolinol described in the literature from 2015 to date. After a comparison of the physicochemical parameters of pyrrolidine with the parent aromatic pyrrole and cyclopentane, we investigate the influence of steric factors on biological activity, also describing the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the studied compounds. To aid the reader's approach to reading the manuscript, we have planned the review on the basis of the synthetic strategies used: (1) ring construction from different cyclic or acyclic precursors, reporting the synthesis and the reaction conditions, or (2) functionalization of preformed pyrrolidine rings, e.g., proline derivatives. Since one of the most significant features of the pyrrolidine ring is the stereogenicity of carbons, we highlight how the different stereoisomers and the spatial orientation of substituents can lead to a different biological profile of drug candidates, due to the different binding mode to enantioselective proteins. We believe that this work can guide medicinal chemists to the best approach in the design of new pyrrolidine compounds with different biological profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Li Petri
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Raimondi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Virginia Spanò
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ralph Holl
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paola Barraja
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Montalbano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
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Burgio S, Conway de Macario E, Macario AJ, Cappello F. SARS-CoV-2 in patients with cancer: possible role of mimicry of human molecules by viral proteins and the resulting anti-cancer immunity. Cell Stress Chaperones 2021; 26:611-616. [PMID: 33977496 PMCID: PMC8112475 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-021-01211-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A few reports suggest that molecular mimicry can have a role in determining the more severe and deadly forms of COVID-19, inducing endothelial damage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiorgan failure. Heat shock proteins/molecular chaperones can be involved in these molecular mimicry phenomena. However, tumor cells can display on their surface heat shock proteins/molecular chaperones that are mimicked by SARS-CoV-2 molecules (including the Spike protein), similarly to what happens in other bacterial or viral infections. Since molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and tumoral proteins can elicit an immune reaction in which antibodies or cytotoxic cells produced against the virus cross-react with the tumor cells, we want to prompt clinical studies to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on prognosis and follow up of various forms of tumors. These topics, including a brief historical overview, are discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Burgio
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), Institute of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Palermo, 90141, Palermo, Italy
| | - Everly Conway de Macario
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland at Baltimore-Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET), Baltimore, MD, 21202, USA
| | - Alberto Jl Macario
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland at Baltimore-Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET), Baltimore, MD, 21202, USA
- Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (IEMEST), 90139, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Cappello
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), Institute of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Palermo, 90141, Palermo, Italy.
- Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (IEMEST), 90139, Palermo, Italy.
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Albano D, Bonifacini C, Zannoni S, Bernareggi S, Messina C, Galia M, Sconfienza LM. Plantar forefoot pain: ultrasound findings before and after treatment with custom-made foot orthoses. Radiol Med 2021; 126:963-970. [PMID: 33881714 PMCID: PMC8205886 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-021-01354-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE No prior studies investigated the role of ultrasound in the assessment of response of patients undergoing treatment of metatarsalgia with custom-made orthoses. Our aim was to describe ultrasound findings of patients with plantar forefoot pain treated with custom-made foot orthoses. METHODS Twenty patients (15 females; mean age: 62.6 ± 11 years) affected by metatarsalgia in 27/40 feet underwent clinical evaluation before, three months and six months after treatment with custom-made full foot insole with a support proximal and an excavation below the painful metatarsals. Ultrasound was performed before and three months after the use of orthoses to examine the presence of intermetatarsal/submetatarsal bursitis, metatarsophalangeal joints effusion, anterior plantar fat pad oedema, flexor tendinitis/tenosynovitis, and Morton's neuroma. Outcome measures were clinical response with Foot Function Index (FFI)/Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and ultrasound features changes. RESULTS Median VAS and FFI before treatment were 8[5-8.5] and 45.85[32.4-59.4], respectively. After 3 and 6 months of insoles use, both median VAS (2.5 [0-5] and 0 [0-2.75], respectively) and median FFI (7.9 [3.95-20] and 0 [0-3.95], respectively) showed a significant reduction in pain and disability (p < .001). Before treatment, ultrasound revealed 22 intermetatarsal bursitis, 16 submetatarsal bursitis, 10 joint effusions, 20 fat pad oedema, 3 flexor tendinitis/tenosynovitis and 3 Morton's neuromas. After 3 months of treatment, a significant decrease of intermetatarsal bursitis (7, p < .001) was observed. No significant changes were observed in any other ultrasound parameters. CONCLUSION Ultrasound might be able to detect some imaging features associated with the response of forefoot pain to custom-made foot orthoses, especially intermetatarsal bursitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Albano
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy.
- Sezione di Scienze Radiologiche, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
- Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM), SIRM Foundation, 20122, Milan, Italy.
| | - Carlo Bonifacini
- Foot and Ankle Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Zannoni
- Scuola di Specializzazione in Radiodiagnostica, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Massimo Galia
- Sezione di Scienze Radiologiche, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luca Maria Sconfienza
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Per la Salute, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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