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Conte A, Pace R, Li Q, Carloni S, Boetzkes A, Passatore L. Aula Verde (tree room) as a link between art and science to raise public awareness of nature-based solutions. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2368. [PMID: 38321108 PMCID: PMC10847515 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51611-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Nature-based solutions inherently require a multifaceted perspective that encompasses diverse fields. The aim of this project is to develop more effective nature-based solutions, climate action and environmental awareness by breaking down boundaries between disciplines and fostering a co-creative process. Concepts of ecology and urban forestry were combined with the research on political ecology, environmental humanities, land art, regenerative art, performing art, participatory art, and more-than-human art. This process resulted in the creation of Aula Verde Aniene. It is located in an urban park in Rome and consists of a stand of trees arranged in circles with a specific design to give the perception of being in an outdoor vegetated room. The project activities involved community participation through art performances and citizen science initiatives. Regulating and cultural ecosystem services of Aula Verde were assessed using i-Tree Eco software and citizens' surveys. Beyond numerical descriptions of ecosystem services, the manuscript introduces shinrin-yoku as a practice to raise awareness of nature. The distinctive approach here described contributed to convey a sense of belonging to the ecosystem to citizens. The project framework and study findings have been developed to formulate policy recommendations and disseminate a format that can be adapted to diverse locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Conte
- Climate Art Project, 00185, Rome, Italy
- Futurecologies Startup, 00167, Rome, Italy
| | - R Pace
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
- EURAC Research, Institute for Renewable Energy, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Q Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan
- The Japanese Society of Forest Medicine, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan
| | - S Carloni
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), National Research Council (CNR), Area della Ricerca CNR Roma 1, Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - A Boetzkes
- University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - L Passatore
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), National Research Council (CNR), Area della Ricerca CNR Roma 1, Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
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Conte A, De Stefano N, Nicoletti A, Caso V, Mancuso M, Berardelli A, Defazio G. Neurological research in Italy from 2020 to 2023. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:741-744. [PMID: 37857942 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07131-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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To assess the state of neurological scientific research in Italy in the time interval 2020-2023. METHODS Elsevier's modular integrated platform "SciVal" was used to analyze bibliometric research products starting from scientific production data uploaded onto Scopus. We considered the research area "Neurology" in the 01/01/2020-14/06/2023 time interval, and the following variables were extracted: number of published studies, number of citations, Field-Weighted Citation Impact, and percentage of international collaborations. The contribution of Italian scientists to the neurological research was compared to that of the other nations. RESULTS Research identified 90,633 scientific papers in the neurological area worldwide, with a total of 472,750 citations. The products assigned to Italian groups were 6670 (53,587 citations, Field-Weighted Citation Impact 1.68, 41% international collaborations). CONCLUSIONS According to the present study, Italian neurological research 2020 to 2023 ranks fifth globally and third in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Conte
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Viale dell'Università, 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - N De Stefano
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - A Nicoletti
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - V Caso
- Stroke Unit, Department of Emergency and Vascular Medicine Santa Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - M Mancuso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Institute, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Viale dell'Università, 30, 00185, Rome, Italy.
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy.
| | - G Defazio
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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La Verde M, Savoia F, Riemma G, Schiattarella A, Conte A, Hidar S, Torella M, Colacurci N, De Franciscis P, Morlando M. Fetal aortic isthmus Doppler assessment to predict the adverse perinatal outcomes associated with fetal growth restriction: systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:79-92. [PMID: 37072584 PMCID: PMC10769912 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-06963-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fetal growth restriction (FGR) management and delivery planning is based on a multimodal approach. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic accuracies of the aortic isthmus Doppler to predict adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies with FGR. METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google scholar were searched from inception to May 2021, for studies on the prognostic accuracy of anterograde aortic isthmus flow compared with retrograde aortic isthmus flow in singleton pregnancy with FGR. The meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO and was assessed according to PRISMA and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. DerSimonian and Laird's random-effect model was used for relative risks, Freeman-Tukey Double Arcsine for pooled estimates and exact method to stabilize variances and CIs. Heterogeneity was quantified using I2 statistics. RESULTS A total of 2933 articles were identified through the electronic search, of which 6 studies (involving 240 women) were included. The quality evaluation of studies revealed an overall acceptable score for study group selection and comparability and substantial heterogeneity. The risk of perinatal death was significantly greater in fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow, with a RR of 5.17 (p value 0.00001). Similarly, the stillbirth rate was found to have a RR of 5.39 (p value 0.00001). Respiratory distress syndrome had a RR of 2.64 (p value = 0.03) in the group of fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow. CONCLUSION Aortic Isthmus Doppler study may add information for FGR management. However, additional clinical trial are required to assess its applicability in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M La Verde
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie 1, 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - F Savoia
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie 1, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - G Riemma
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie 1, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - A Schiattarella
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie 1, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - A Conte
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie 1, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - S Hidar
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, F. Hached University Teaching Hospital, 4000, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - M Torella
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie 1, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - N Colacurci
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie 1, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - P De Franciscis
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie 1, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - M Morlando
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie 1, 80138, Naples, Italy
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Wadi-Ramahi S, Lalonde RJ, Patel S, Conte A, Siddiqui ZA, Olson AC, Huq MSS. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis for Treatment Workflow of a Novel Ring Gantry Linac. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:S163. [PMID: 37784410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) A new ring gantry Linac machine combined with a PET ring is available in the market. It has 3 separate centers, one for laser, one for CT imaging and a 3rd for the Linac. As a first-generation machine of its kind, the workflow heavily depends on user-input. As example, it uses two separate coordinate systems, IEC for lasers and CT localization offsets and DICOM for treatment planning. The planner must manually convert between the two systems. We hypothesize that the unique design of the machine that is heavily dependent on users' input increases the potential of failure of treatment. The present work investigates failure modes for treatment delivery using the methodology of failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) and proposes solutions to mitigate some of the failure modes (FMs). MATERIALS/METHODS A group of two radiation oncologists, two radiation therapists and three medical physicists was assembled. The process map for treatment delivery on the X1 was created and FMs were identified. Members independently graded each FM on 3 parameters, likelihood of occurrence, detectability of FM and level of severity on patient treatment. A grading scale of 1-5 was used with five representing the worst outcome in each parameter. Each member also identified the origin of each FM to be human, machine or clinical process. Mitigation solutions were proposed. RESULTS The process map of treatment delivery on X1 consists of six major processes and 24 sub-processes. A total of 27 FMs were identified, with many 19/27 (70%) caused by human errors and 7/27 (27%) caused by machine. From all responses, we tallied a median of 11 FMs (40%) that have both S≥ 4 and O or D ≥ 4. To further focus our analysis, we looked at the highest PRN scores from each member and found 7 FMs that were common. 1 FM was in "initiation of Treatment" sub-process and 6 FMs in "Treatment delivery" sub-process. Proposed solutions to these FMs were concerned with software upgrades. Examples are, allow changes in fractionation, allow dose tracking, auto calculation of couch position for various sub processes, allow DICOM image transfer and many more. The current clinical workflow that we adopted for these FMs either puts the burden on the user to confirm/verify parameters or the use of third-party software. In addition to these high-scoring FMs, we adopted changes in clinical workflow to mitigate other FMs, most of them through third-party software. CONCLUSION This study confirmed that the unique design and user-dependent machine environment, human failures are high accounting for 70% of FMs in treatment delivery alone. Our current workflow of the machine depends on direct user input to calculate/confirm certain parameters or the use of third-party software, which also depends on the user for proper completion of the task. Suggested solutions also included proposed improvement to the machine's software and user interface.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R J Lalonde
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - S Patel
- UPMC Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - A Conte
- UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Z A Siddiqui
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - A C Olson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - M S S Huq
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA
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Guerra M, Meola L, Lattante S, Conte A, Sabatelli M, Sette C, Bernardini C. Characterization of SOD1-DT, a Divergent Long Non-Coding RNA in the Locus of the SOD1 Human Gene. Cells 2023; 12:2058. [PMID: 37626868 PMCID: PMC10453398 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Researchers studying Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) have made significant efforts to find a unique mechanism to explain the etiopathology of the different forms of the disease. However, despite several mutations associated with ALS having been discovered in recent years, the link between the mutated genes and its onset has not yet been fully elucidated. Among the genes associated with ALS, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) was the first to be identified, but its role in the etiopathogenesis of the disease is still unclear. In recent years, research has been focused on the non-coding part of the genome to fully understand the mechanisms underlying gene regulation. Non-coding RNAs are conserved molecules and are not usually translated in protein. A total of 98% of the human genome is composed of non-protein coding sequences with roles in the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. In this study, we characterized a divergent nuclear lncRNA (SOD1-DT) transcribed in the antisense direction from the 5' region of the SOD1 coding gene in both the SH-SY5Y cell line and fibroblasts derived from ALS patients. Interestingly, this lncRNA seems to regulate gene expression, since its inhibition leads to the upregulation of surrounding genes including SOD1. SOD1-DT represents a very complex molecule, displaying allelic and transcriptional variability concerning transposable elements (TEs) included in its sequence, widening the scenario of gene expression regulation in ALS disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Guerra
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (C.S.)
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Meola
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Serena Lattante
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Amelia Conte
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.S.)
- Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (C.S.)
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (C.S.)
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Conte A, Brunelli L, Moretti V, Valdi G, Guelfi MR, Masoni M, Anelli F, Parpinel M, Arnoldo L. Can a validated website help improve university students' e-health literacy? Ann Ig 2023; 35:257-268. [PMID: 36178128 DOI: 10.7416/ai.2022.2542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Background The fight against fake news, mainly spread through Internet, is a major public health issue, even among undergraduate students. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a website promoted by the Italian Federation of the Provincial Orders of the Medical Doctors as a first aid communication kit for health topics. Study design Pre-post study using a web-based survey, conducted in April-May 2019 on Medical students and October-November 2020 on Communication Sciences students at the University of Florence (Italy). Methods. Undergraduate students of both schools were exposed to the use of the "dottoremaeveroche" website. Primary and secondary outcomes measures: the Italian-electronic Health Literacy Scale self-assessment tool was used to examine subjects' electronic Health literacy, and source quality. All responses were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Changing in perception of abilities were examined using the Wilcoxon test. Results The 362 participants felt moderately confident in electronic Health Literacy, with an initial Italian-electronic Health Literacy Scale overall mean score of 3.6±0.7 for medical and 3.2±0.8 for communication students. Medical students had a good idea of how to find helpful sources (3.9±0.8) and communication students felt confident in recognizing their quality (3.5±1.0). In contrast, their confidence in using Web information to make health decisions was low (medical: 2.9±1.1; communication: 2.8±1.1). All items improved significantly after "dottoremaeveroche" use (p<.001), with the overall mean score of Italian-electronic Health Literacy Scale increasing to 4.3±0.6 for medical and 4.1±0.8 for communication students. Conclusions Low electronic health literacy levels can affect public health efforts, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effectiveness of "dottoremaeveroche" among students showed the usefulness of online educational interventions that, if further implemented, could help combat the spread of infodemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Conte
- Medical Directorate of San Daniele Hospital, Friuli Centrale University Healthcare Trust, Udine, Italy
| | - L Brunelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Italy.,Clinical Risk, Quality and Accreditation Unit, Friuli Centrale University Healthcare Trust, Udine, Italy
| | - V Moretti
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Italy
| | - G Valdi
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Italy
| | - M R Guelfi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | - M Masoni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | - F Anelli
- Italian Federation of the Provincial Orders of Medical Doctors (FNOMCEO), Rome, Italy
| | - M Parpinel
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Italy
| | - L Arnoldo
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Italy.,Clinical Risk, Quality and Accreditation Unit, Friuli Centrale University Healthcare Trust, Udine, Italy
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Sardina F, Conte A, Paladino S, Pierantoni GM, Rinaldo C. HIPK2 in the physiology of nervous system and its implications in neurological disorders. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res 2023; 1870:119465. [PMID: 36935052 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
HIPK2 is an evolutionary conserved serine/threonine kinase with multifunctional roles in stress response, embryonic development and pathological conditions, such as cancer and fibrosis. The heterogeneity of its interactors and targets makes HIPK2 activity strongly dependent on the cellular context, and allows it to modulate multiple signaling pathways, ultimately regulating cell fate and proliferation. HIPK2 is highly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and its genetic ablation causes neurological defects in mice. Moreover, HIPK2 is involved in processes, such as endoplasmic reticulum stress response and protein aggregate accumulation, and pathways, including TGF-β and BMP signaling, that are crucial in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Here, we review the data about the role of HIPK2 in neuronal development, survival, and homeostasis, highlighting the implications in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, and pointing out HIPK2 potentiality as therapeutic target and diagnostic or prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Sardina
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), c/o Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - A Conte
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - S Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - G M Pierantoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - C Rinaldo
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), c/o Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
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Lattante S, Sabatelli M, Bisogni G, Marangi G, Doronzio PN, Martello F, Renzi AG, Del Giudice E, Leon A, Cimbolli P, Marchione D, Costantino U, Lucioli G, Bernardo D, Meleo E, Patanella AK, Romano A, Zollino M, Conte A. Evaluating the contribution of the gene TARDBP in Italian patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:1246-1255. [PMID: 36732882 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15727] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Genetic variants in the gene TARDBP, encoding TDP-43 protein, are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in familial (fALS) and sporadic (sALS) cases. Objectives of this study were to assess the contribution of TARDBP in a large cohort of Italian ALS patients, to determine the TARDBP-associated clinical features and to look for genotype-phenotype correlation and penetrance of the mutations. METHODS A total of 1992 Italian ALS patients (193 fALS and 1799 sALS) were enrolled in this study. Sanger sequencing of TARDBP gene was performed in patients and, when available, in patients' relatives. RESULTS In total, 13 different rare variants were identified in 43 index cases (10 fALS and 33 sALS) with a cumulative mutational frequency of 2.2% (5.2% of fALS, 1.8% of sALS). The most prevalent variant was the p.A382T followed by the p.G294V. Cognitive impairment was detected in almost 30% of patients. While some variants, including the p.G294V and the p.G376D, were associated with restricted phenotypes, the p.A382T showed a marked clinical heterogeneity regarding age of onset, survival and association with cognitive impairment. Investigations in parents, when possible, showed that the variants were inherited from healthy carriers and never occurred de novo. CONCLUSIONS In our cohort, TARDBP variants have a relevant frequency in Italian ALS patients and they are significantly associated with cognitive impairment. Clinical presentation is heterogeneous. Consistent genotype-phenotype correlations are limited to some mutations. A marked phenotypic variability characterizes the p.A382T variant, suggesting a multifactorial/oligogenic pathogenic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Lattante
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Bisogni
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Niccolò Doronzio
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Martello
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Gloria Renzi
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alberta Leon
- Research & Innovation (R&I Genetics) srl, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Cimbolli
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Marchione
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Costantino
- Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Lucioli
- Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Bernardo
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emiliana Meleo
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Agata Katia Patanella
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Romano
- Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcella Zollino
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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D'Amario D, Galli M, Cappannoli L, Canonico F, Restivo A, Arcudi A, Scacciavillani R, Riccioni ME, Vergallo R, Montone RA, Conte A, Meleo E, Lancellotti S, Sacco M, Antonelli M, Andreotti F, DE Cristofaro R, Crea F. Oral anticoagulants in fragile patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and atrial fibrillation: the ORIGAMI pilot investigation. Minerva Cardiol Angiol 2023; 71:109-116. [PMID: 35166091 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5683.21.05903-2] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive data support the superior safety without any trade-off in efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Whether DOACs may be successfully used to treat complex and fragile patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) remains to be proven. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility, anticoagulant effect, and preliminary safety/efficacy profile of edoxaban administered via PEG in patients with an indication for long-term oral anticoagulation. METHODS In this prospective, single-arm, pilot study, 12 patients with PEG and guideline-recommended indication for anticoagulation for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were prospectively enrolled. Crushed edoxaban at approved doses was administered via PEG. Quantitative measures of edoxaban's antifactor Xa activity were performed at steady state. Thromboembolic and bleeding events were assessed at one-month follow-up. RESULTS Steady state edoxaban plasma levels were at therapeutic range in all patients; mean plasma concentration was 208.5 (±78.6) ng/mL. At one month follow-up, none had suffered a thromboembolic event; one developed minor bleeding, and one died from non-cardiovascular death, owing to sudden worsening of a pre-existing underlying severe condition. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot investigation, we report for the first time that crushed edoxaban, administered at approved doses through PEG in fragile and complex patients, is feasible, results in therapeutic edoxaban concentrations, and is apparently effective and safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico D'Amario
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy - .,Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy -
| | - Mattia Galli
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Canonico
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Rocco Vergallo
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Rocco A Montone
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- NEMO Center, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Emiliana Meleo
- NEMO Center, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Massimo Antonelli
- Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy.,NEMO Center, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Emergency Sciences, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Felicita Andreotti
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Raimondo DE Cristofaro
- Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy.,NEMO Center, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Emergency Sciences, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Section of Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases, Department of Medicine and Translational Surgery, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Crea
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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Doronzio PN, Lattante S, Marangi G, Martello F, Conte A, Bisogni G, Bernardo D, Patanella AK, Meleo E, Zollino M, Sabatelli M. Analysis of STMN2 CA repeats in italian ALS patients shows no association. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023; 24:152-154. [PMID: 35876065 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2102430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Recently, a polymorphic intronic CA repeat in STMN2 gene has been proposed as risk factor for ALS. The presence of long/long CA genotype, especially if one allele had 24 CA, was reported to be significantly associated with the disease in a cohort of sporadic ALS patients. We tested an Italian cohort of 366 ALS patients and 353 healthy controls and we found no association between CA length and ALS risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Niccolò Doronzio
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Lattante
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Martello
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy, and
| | - Giulia Bisogni
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy, and
| | - Daniela Bernardo
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy, and
| | - Agata Katia Patanella
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy, and
| | - Emiliana Meleo
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy, and
| | - Marcella Zollino
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Department of Neurology, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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11
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Beghi E, Pupillo E, Bianchi E, Bonetto V, Luotti S, Pasetto L, Bendotti C, Tortarolo M, Sironi F, Camporeale L, Sherman AV, Paganoni S, Scognamiglio A, De Marchi F, Bongioanni P, Del Carratore R, Caponnetto C, Diamanti L, Martinelli D, Calvo A, Filosto M, Padovani A, Piccinelli SC, Ricci C, Dalla Giacoma S, De Angelis N, Inghilleri M, Spataro R, La Bella V, Logroscino G, Lunetta C, Tarlarini C, Mandrioli J, Martinelli I, Simonini C, Zucchi E, Monsurrò MR, Ricciardi D, Trojsi F, Riva N, Filippi M, Simone IL, Sorarù G, Spera C, Florio L, Messina S, Russo M, Siciliano G, Conte A, Saddi MV, Carboni N, Mazzini L. Effect of RNS60 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a phase II multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:69-86. [PMID: 36148821 PMCID: PMC10092300 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options. RNS60 is an immunomodulatory and neuroprotective investigational product that has shown efficacy in animal models of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. Its administration has been safe and well tolerated in ALS subjects in previous early phase trials. METHODS This was a phase II, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Participants diagnosed with definite, probable or probable laboratory-supported ALS were assigned to receive RNS60 or placebo administered for 24 weeks intravenously (375 ml) once a week and via nebulization (4 ml/day) on non-infusion days, followed by an additional 24 weeks off-treatment. The primary objective was to measure the effects of RNS60 treatment on selected biomarkers of inflammation and neurodegeneration in peripheral blood. Secondary objectives were to measure the effect of RNS60 on functional impairment (ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised), a measure of self-sufficiency, respiratory function (forced vital capacity, FVC), quality of life (ALS Assessment Questionnaire-40, ALSAQ-40) and survival. Tolerability and safety were assessed. RESULTS Seventy-four participants were assigned to RNS60 and 73 to placebo. Assessed biomarkers did not differ between arms. The mean rate of decline in FVC and the eating and drinking domain of ALSAQ-40 was slower in the RNS60 arm (FVC, difference 0.41 per week, standard error 0.16, p = 0.0101; ALSAQ-40, difference -0.19 per week, standard error 0.10, p = 0.0319). Adverse events were similar in the two arms. In a post hoc analysis, neurofilament light chain increased over time in bulbar onset placebo participants whilst remaining stable in those treated with RNS60. CONCLUSIONS The positive effects of RNS60 on selected measures of respiratory and bulbar function warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Beghi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Bianchi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Bonetto
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Luotti
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Pasetto
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Tortarolo
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Sironi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Camporeale
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Alexander V Sherman
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at Mass General Hospital, Department of Neurology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Department of PM&R, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ada Scognamiglio
- ALS Expert Center 'Maggiore della Carità' Hospital and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- ALS Expert Center 'Maggiore della Carità' Hospital and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Paolo Bongioanni
- Spinal Cord Injuries Section, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Calvo
- Centro Regionale Esperto per la Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze 'Rita Levi Montalcini', Università degli Studi di Torino, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Gussago Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Gussago Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Ricci
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Dalla Giacoma
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Nicoletta De Angelis
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Università di Roma 'Sapienza' UOSD Malattie Neurodegenerative, Centro Malattie Rare Neuromuscolari Policlinico Universitario Umberto I, Roma, Italy
| | - Rossella Spataro
- ALS Clinical Research Center, AOUP 'P Giaccone' - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo La Bella
- ALS Clinical Research Center, AOUP 'P Giaccone' - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Center for neurodegenerative diseases and the Aging Brain, Department of Clinical Research in Neurology of the University of Bari at 'Pia Fondazione Card G. Panico 'Hospital Tricase, Tricase, Italy.,Department of Basic Medicine Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University Aldo Moro Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Martinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy.,Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Simonini
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy.,Neuroscience PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Monsurrò
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Ricciardi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Trojsi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Neurology Unit, Neurorehabilitation Unit, and Neurophysiology Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neurology Unit, Neurorehabilitation Unit, and Neurophysiology Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Laura Simone
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Motor Neuton Disease Center, Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Florio
- Neurology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Sonia Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Massimo Russo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of clinical and experimental medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Centro Clinico NEMO-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Carboni
- Neurology Department, San Francesco Hospital, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Expert Center 'Maggiore della Carità' Hospital and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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12
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Laborante R, Paglianiti DA, Piccinni C, Restivo A, Ciliberti G, Liuzzo G, Conte A, Sabatelli M, Crea F, D´amario D. 643 THE HEART WAS MADE TO BE BROKEN: RECURRENT TAKOTSUBO SYNDROME IN AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS. Eur Heart J Suppl 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suac121.528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a rare cardiac disease, characterized by transient regional wall motion abnormalities without evidence of obstructive coronary artery stenoses, mainly triggered by emotion or physical stressors. Reverse Takotsubo syndrome (rTTS), an atypical variant with basal segments involvement, is frequently associated with neurological disorders, including patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We reported the case of a 54 years old woman who experienced two consecutive episodes of TTS with different wall motion patterns, complicated by a recurrent episode and arrhythmic events.
A Caucasian woman, affected by ALS, was hospitalized in our department due to anemia and recurrent episodes of hematochezia. Following a week of relative clinical stability, the patient experienced acute deterioration with generalized malaise and worsening dyspnea. CT scan excluded pulmonary causes, whereas EKG (ST segment depression in the lower and lateral leads), blood test (increase in high-sensitive cardiac troponins) and TTE (severe impairment of LVEF, with akinesia of basal segments) revealed a cardiac etiology. Coronary angiography and left ventriculography were performed, documenting a wall motion pattern consistent with rTTS. After an initial management in intensive care unit, clinical stability was obtained with a complete recovery of left ventricular systolic function. The patient was discharged but one month later, due to bacterial pneumonia, she was readmitted in our ward and antibiotic therapy was started. Two days later an acute deterioration of clinical status occurred, characterized by dyspnea, altered state of consciousness and marked hypotension. TTE revealed a severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction with apical akinesia and preserved contractility of basal segments, so a diagnosis of typical TTS was made. Three weeks later the clinical scenario became more complicated due to advanced atrioventricular block, with phases of atrioventricular dissociation and ventricular escape-rhythm. Therefore, in light of the increased risk of infectious complications, she underwent implantation of a leadless pacemaker (PMK).
This clinical case represents the first report of recurrent episodes of TTS, one of which as rTTS, in a patient affected by ALS. It is worth noting that the first episode of TTS had atypical clinical presentation (dyspnea without chest pain), the EKG showed diffuse ST-segment depression (totally different from classical TTS typical electrocardiographic alterations), and TTE confirmed a different phenotype of segment involvement (unsurprisingly InterTAK Diagnostic Score was low). TTS recurrence is an extremely rare event, even if in this case there were two well defined triggers such as anemia and pneumonia. On the other hand it is reasonable to think that non-use of BBs after the first episode may have contributed to the occurrence of the next event, affecting different segments compared to the previous episode. Furthermore, advanced atrioventricular (AV) block represents a rare complication of TTS, most probably due to catecholamine stress or increased vagal tone, often requiring PMK implantation. In conclusion TTS represents an important frequent cardiac complication in patients affected by ALS, often still underdiagnosed. Therefore clinicians must keep their guard up with TTS, especially in the cases with atypical clinical presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renzo Laborante
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Irccs , Rome
- Universita’ Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore , Rome
| | - Donato Antonio Paglianiti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Irccs , Rome
- Universita’ Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore , Rome
| | - Carlo Piccinni
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Irccs , Rome
- Universita’ Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore , Rome
| | - Attilio Restivo
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Irccs , Rome
- Universita’ Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore , Rome
| | - Giuseppe Ciliberti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Irccs , Rome
- Universita’ Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore , Rome
| | - Giovanna Liuzzo
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Irccs , Rome
- Universita’ Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore , Rome
| | - Amelia Conte
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Irccs , Rome
- Universita’ Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore , Rome
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Irccs , Rome
- Universita’ Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore , Rome
| | - Filippo Crea
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Irccs , Rome
- Universita’ Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore , Rome
| | - Domenico D´amario
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Irccs , Rome
- Universita’ Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore , Rome
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13
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Moretti V, Arnoldo L, Valdi G, Conte A, Masoni M, Guelfi MR, Anelli F, Brunelli L. Digital Health Literacy and Infodemic: the impact on Italian medical students between 2019-2020. Eur J Public Health 2022. [PMCID: PMC9593434 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac130.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 infodemic is putting pressure on public health systems to control the pandemic. With the internet and social media playing a key role in emergency communication, digital health literacy (DHL) can be considered a determinant of health. This study aims to assess the impact of infodemic on the skills of medical students, for whom low levels of DHL may affect the ability to identify the best available medical evidence. Methods A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted at the University of Florence (Italy) in Apr-May 2019 (pre-pandemic period) and in Nov-Dec 2020 (pandemic period) to investigate DHL skills. Two different cohorts of students, both in their first year of medical school, participated in the survey. The 8-item self-assessment tool (IT-eHEALS) with a 5-point Likert scale was used to examine DHL. The change in perception of ability between the two cohorts was examined using the Wilcoxon test. Results A total of 329 students participated in the survey in 2019 (F: 58.1%; mean age 20.6±2.1) and 341 in 2020 (F:61.9%; mean age 19.8±2.0). In 2019, participants’ DHL level was moderate with a IT-eHEALS overall mean score (MS) of 28.4±5.8. Students had a good idea of how to find helpful health information (MS 3.9±0.8) and how to use the web for this purpose (MS 3.8±0.9), but they were less confident about the usefulness of the information they received (MS 2.9±1.1). In 2020, the medical students’ DHL level deteriorated as the overall MS of IT-eHEALS decreased to 23.4±7.2 (p < 0.01). The scores of the IT-eHEALS items were significantly lower and students indicated that they found it difficult to assess the information they found (MS 2.4±1.1; p < 0.01). Conclusions DHL can contrast infodemic, but the latter in turn may have a negative impact on perceived DHL skills if personal knowledge base is not well structured. Training programmes for medical students as future health care providers should be reinforces to guide their practise. Key messages
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Affiliation(s)
- V Moretti
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine , Udine, Italy
| | - L Arnoldo
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine , Udine, Italy
- Quality and Risk Management Unit, Friuli Centrale Healthcare and University Trust , Udine, Italy
| | - G Valdi
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine , Udine, Italy
| | - A Conte
- Medical Directorate, Friuli Centrale Healthcare and University Trust , Udine, Italy
| | - M Masoni
- Department of Medicine, University of Firenze , Firenze, Italy
| | - MR Guelfi
- Department of Medicine, University of Firenze , Firenze, Italy
| | - F Anelli
- FNOMCEO, Italian Federation of Medical Professional Associations , Rome, Italy
| | - L Brunelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine , Udine, Italy
- Quality and Risk Management Unit, Friuli Centrale Healthcare and University Trust , Udine, Italy
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14
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Martello F, Lattante S, Doronzio PN, Conte A, Bisogni G, Orteschi D, Luigetti M, Marrucci MA, Zollino M, Sabatelli M, Marangi G. Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line (UCSCi002-A) from a patient with a variant in TARDBP gene associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Stem Cell Res 2022; 62:102825. [PMID: 35667216 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2022.102825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that selectively affects motor neurons. In 20% of cases, ALS appears in comorbidity with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We generated patient-derived-induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), from an ALS/FTD patient. The patient had a familial form of the disease and a missense variant in TARDBP gene. We used an established protocol based on Sendai virus to reprogram fibroblasts. We confirmed the stemness and the pluripotency of the iPSC clones, thus generating embryoid bodies. We believe that the iPSC line carrying a TARDBP mutation could be a valuable tool to investigate TDP-43 proteinopathy linked to ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Martello
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Lattante
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Paolo Niccolò Doronzio
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Bisogni
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Orteschi
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Luigetti
- Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Alessandra Marrucci
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcella Zollino
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Bisogni G, Romano A, Conte A, Tasca G, Bernardo D, Luigetti M, Di Paolantonio A, Fabrizi GM, Patanella AK, Meleo E, Sabatelli M. Thr124Met myelin protein zero mutation mimicking motor neuron disease. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2022; 23:299-304. [PMID: 34210210 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1946086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in myelin protein zero (MPZ) are associated with heterogeneous manifestations. In this study, we report clinical, electrophysiological, pathological, and muscle MRI findings from two relatives with MPZ Thr124Met variants, disclosing different phenotypes. The proband was a 73-year-old female with a 12-year-story of atrophy, weakness, and fasciculations in her proximal and distal lower limbs. EMG examination showed neurogenic signs with active denervation together with reduced sensory action potentials, without sensory symptoms. The initial diagnosis was of a slowly progressive lower motor neuron disease (MND) with subclinical sensory axonal neuropathy. Two years later, the observation of her 60-year-old nephew, who had a distal sensory-motor neuropathy, prompted the analysis of inherited neuropathies-related genes and revealed a MPZ Thr124Met mutation in both cases. Our findings expand the clinical spectrum of MPZ-related neuropathy and highlight that Thr124Met mutation may cause a syndrome mimicking MND. The challenging issue to detect sensory features in the diagnostic MND work up is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bisogni
- Centro Clinico NEMO-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Angela Romano
- Centro Clinico NEMO-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Amelia Conte
- Centro Clinico NEMO-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Giorgio Tasca
- UOC Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Daniela Bernardo
- Centro Clinico NEMO-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Marco Luigetti
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
- UOC Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | | | - Gian Maria Fabrizi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Agata Katia Patanella
- Centro Clinico NEMO-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Emiliana Meleo
- Centro Clinico NEMO-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Centro Clinico NEMO-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
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16
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Perciballi E, Bovio F, Rosati J, Arrigoni F, D’Anzi A, Lattante S, Gelati M, De Marchi F, Lombardi I, Ruotolo G, Forcella M, Mazzini L, D’Alfonso S, Corrado L, Sabatelli M, Conte A, De Gioia L, Martino S, Vescovi AL, Fusi P, Ferrari D. Characterization of the p.L145F and p.S135N Mutations in SOD1: Impact on the Metabolism of Fibroblasts Derived from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11050815. [PMID: 35624679 PMCID: PMC9137766 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11050815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of the upper and lower motor neurons (MNs). About 10% of patients have a family history (familial, fALS); however, most patients seem to develop the sporadic form of the disease (sALS). SOD1 (Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase-1) is the first studied gene among the ones related to ALS. Mutant SOD1 can adopt multiple misfolded conformation, lose the correct coordination of metal binding, decrease structural stability, and form aggregates. For all these reasons, it is complicated to characterize the conformational alterations of the ALS-associated mutant SOD1, and how they relate to toxicity. In this work, we performed a multilayered study on fibroblasts derived from two ALS patients, namely SOD1L145F and SOD1S135N, carrying the p.L145F and the p.S135N missense variants, respectively. The patients showed diverse symptoms and disease progression in accordance with our bioinformatic analysis, which predicted the different effects of the two mutations in terms of protein structure. Interestingly, both mutations had an effect on the fibroblast energy metabolisms. However, while the SOD1L145F fibroblasts still relied more on oxidative phosphorylation, the SOD1S135N fibroblasts showed a metabolic shift toward glycolysis. Our study suggests that SOD1 mutations might lead to alterations in the energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Perciballi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (F.B.); (F.A.); (I.L.); (M.F.); (L.D.G.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Federica Bovio
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (F.B.); (F.A.); (I.L.); (M.F.); (L.D.G.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Jessica Rosati
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Viale dei Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; (J.R.); (A.D.); (G.R.)
| | - Federica Arrigoni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (F.B.); (F.A.); (I.L.); (M.F.); (L.D.G.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Angela D’Anzi
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Viale dei Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; (J.R.); (A.D.); (G.R.)
| | - Serena Lattante
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Gelati
- UPTA Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Viale dei Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy;
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- ALS Centre Maggiore della Carità Hospital and Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (F.D.M.); (L.M.)
| | - Ivan Lombardi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (F.B.); (F.A.); (I.L.); (M.F.); (L.D.G.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Giorgia Ruotolo
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Viale dei Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; (J.R.); (A.D.); (G.R.)
| | - Matilde Forcella
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (F.B.); (F.A.); (I.L.); (M.F.); (L.D.G.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Centre Maggiore della Carità Hospital and Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (F.D.M.); (L.M.)
| | - Sandra D’Alfonso
- Department of Health Sciences, Center on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases (CAAD), UPO, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Lucia Corrado
- Department of Health Sciences, Center on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases (CAAD), UPO, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.S.); (A.C.)
- Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.S.); (A.C.)
- Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca De Gioia
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (F.B.); (F.A.); (I.L.); (M.F.); (L.D.G.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Sabata Martino
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06123 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Angelo Luigi Vescovi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (F.B.); (F.A.); (I.L.); (M.F.); (L.D.G.); (A.L.V.)
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Viale dei Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Paola Fusi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (F.B.); (F.A.); (I.L.); (M.F.); (L.D.G.); (A.L.V.)
- Correspondence: (P.F.); (D.F.); Tel.: +39-348-004-6641 (D.F.)
| | - Daniela Ferrari
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (F.B.); (F.A.); (I.L.); (M.F.); (L.D.G.); (A.L.V.)
- Correspondence: (P.F.); (D.F.); Tel.: +39-348-004-6641 (D.F.)
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Conte A, Berlato D, Rasotto R, Bass J, Bussadori R, Nicoli S, Murgia D. Comparison of harmonic shears, diode laser, and scissor cutting and suturing for caudal palatoplasty in dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. Vet J 2022; 280:105802. [PMID: 35151883 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2022.105802] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, staphylectomy has been performed using scissors cutting and suturing. Alternative surgical techniques such as staphylectomy with monopolar electrocoagulation, CO2 or diode laser, bipolar vessel sealing device and harmonic shears have also been described. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the difference in surgical time, intraoperative haemorrhage and histological damage between staphylectomy performed with harmonic shears (HSS), diode laser (DLS) and traditional scissor 'cutting and suturing' technique with Metzenbaum scissors (SIS). Group HSS included 17 dogs, whereas Group DLS and Group SIS included 10 dogs each. Double masked histological evaluation was performed on the excised specimens. The harmonic shears resulted in the shortest surgical times (HSS 46 s, DLS 300 s, SIS 360 s; P < 0.001). There was a difference in the intraoperative haemorrhage among the three techniques; intraoperative haemorrhage did not occur in HSS and DLS groups. HSS was associated with more frequent damage involving the connective tissue (P = 0.001), muscle (P = 0.038), salivary gland tissue (P < 0.001), but less oedema was observed (P < 0.001). HSS was the fastest of the techniques evaluated for caudal elongated soft palate resection, resulting in less tissue oedema, and no intra-operative haemorrhage. These characteristics might result in reduced postoperative swelling and airway obstruction compared to other techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Conte
- Torrington Orthopaedics, I E S House, Mission St, Brighouse, HD6 1NQ, UK.
| | - D Berlato
- Dick White Referrals, Station Farm, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Cambridgeshire, CB8 0UH, UK
| | - R Rasotto
- Dick White Referrals, Station Farm, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Cambridgeshire, CB8 0UH, UK
| | - J Bass
- Finn Pathologists, Laboratory, Hoxne Rd, Diss, IP21 5TT, UK
| | - R Bussadori
- Clinica Veterinaria 'Gran Sasso', Via Donatello, 26, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - S Nicoli
- AniCura - Istituto Veterinario di Novara, SP9, 28060, Granozzo con Monticello, Novara, Italy
| | - D Murgia
- Dick White Referrals, Station Farm, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Cambridgeshire, CB8 0UH, UK
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Celletti C, Ferrazzano G, Belvisi D, Ferrario C, Tarabini M, Baione V, Fabbrini G, Conte A, Galli M, Camerota F. Instrumental Timed Up and Go test discloses abnormalities in patients with Cervical Dystonia. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2021; 90:105493. [PMID: 34715549 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Cervical dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary and sustained contraction of the neck muscles that determines abnormal posture. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dystonic posture in patients with cervical dystonia affects walking and causes postural changes. Methods Patients with cervical dystonia and a group of age-matched healthy controls underwent an instrumental evaluation of the Timed Up and Go Test. Findings All the spatio-temporal parameters of the sub-phases of the Timed up and go test had a significantly higher duration in cervical dystonia patients compared to the control group while no differences in flection and extension angular amplitudes were observed. Indeed, we found that Cervical Dystonia patients had abnormalities in turning, as well as in standing-up and sitting-down from a chair during the Timed up and go test than healthy controls. Interpretation Impairment in postural control in cervical dystonia patients during walking and postural changes prompts to develop rehabilitation strategies to improve postural stability and reduce the risk of fall in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Celletti
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Division, Umberto I University Hospital of Rome, Italy.
| | - G Ferrazzano
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy
| | - D Belvisi
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - C Ferrario
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20124 Milan, Italy; DEIB, Dept of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
| | - M Tarabini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20124 Milan, Italy
| | - V Baione
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy
| | - G Fabbrini
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - A Conte
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - M Galli
- DEIB, Dept of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
| | - F Camerota
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Division, Umberto I University Hospital of Rome, Italy
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Moretti V, Valdi G, Brunelli L, Arnoldo L, Conte A, Masoni M, Guelfi MR, Anelli F. e-Health Literacy among medical students. Eur J Public Health 2021. [PMCID: PMC8574746 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab165.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The struggle against fake medical news, nowadays widely spread by web sources, is a main issue in public health especially in a pandemic period. Even among medical students, there is a lack of eHealth literacy (eHL) skills to solve medical problems. The Italian Medical Doctors Federation (FNOMCeO) promoted a Web source as a first-aid communication kit for basic notions in health hot-topics named “dottoremaeveroche” (DMVEC). This study aims to evaluate its effectiveness in improving eHL. Methods Between April and November 2019, medical students from the University of Firenze (Italy) joined a cross-sectional web-based survey before and after accessing the DMVEC Web source. The 8-item self-assessment tool (IT-eHEALS) was used to examine subject's eHL, in addition to questions on source's features and its quality. All responses were rated on a 5-points Likert scale. Changing of abilities' perception was assessed using Wilcoxon test. Results A total of 329 joined the survey, 42% male, mean age of 20.6±2.1. Participants felt moderately confident in eHL, in fact the initial eHEALS overall mean score was 3.6± 0.7. Students had a good perception on how to find helpful health resources (mean score 3.9±0.8) and how to use the Internet to answer health questions (mean score 3.8±0.9), but their ability in using this information to make health decisions was low (mean score 2.9±1.1). All items improved after the use of DMVEC, with overall mean score of IT-eHEALS increasing to 4.3±0.6 (p < 0.0001). Regarding source's quality, mean score related to transparency of sources, an aspect underestimated at first, increased from 3.5±1.2 to 4.7±0.7 (p < 0.0001). Conclusions Low levels of eHL can damage public health efforts, as seen during COVID19 pandemic. DMVEC effectiveness in medical students demonstrated that the scaling up to the general population of online educational interventions, with further implementation, could help in tackling infodemic and fake news spreading. Key messages Moderate levels of eHL among medical students could reflect lower levels in general population, highlighting this as critical issue in public health. Educational programs addressed to Health professionals could be adapted and empowered considering general population as target.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Moretti
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - G Valdi
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - L Brunelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Quality and Risk Management, Friuli Centrale Healthcare and University Trust, Udine, Italy
| | - L Arnoldo
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Quality and Risk Management, Friuli Centrale Healthcare and University Trust, Udine, Italy
| | - A Conte
- Medical Directorate, Friuli Centrale Healthcare and University Trust, Udine, Italy
| | - M Masoni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - MR Guelfi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - F Anelli
- Italian Federation of Medical Professional Associations, FNOMCEO, Rome, Italy
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20
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Conte A, Otu-Larbi F, Alivernini A, Hoshika Y, Paoletti E, Ashworth K, Fares S. Exploring new strategies for ozone-risk assessment: A dynamic-threshold case study. Environ Pollut 2021; 287:117620. [PMID: 34171723 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117620] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Tropospheric ozone is a dangerous atmospheric pollutant for forest ecosystems when it penetrates stomata. Thresholds for ozone-risk assessment are based on accumulated stomatal ozone fluxes such as the Phytotoxic Ozone Dose (POD). In order to identify the effect of ozone on a Holm oak forest in central Italy, four flux-based ozone impact response functions were implemented and tested in a multi-layer canopy model AIRTREE and evaluated against Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) obtained from observations of Eddy Covariance fluxes of CO2. To evaluate if a clear phytotoxic threshold exists and if it changes during the year, six different detoxifying thresholds ranging between 0 and 5 nmol O3 m-2 s-1 were tested. The use of species-specific rather than more general response functions based on plant functional types (PFT) increased model accuracy (RMSE reduced by up to 8.5%). In the case of linear response functions, a threshold of 1 nmol m-2 s-2 produced the best results for simulations of the whole year, although the tolerance to ozone changed seasonally, with higher tolerance (5 nmol m-2 s-1 or no ozone impact) for Winter and Spring and lower thresholds in Summer and Fall (0-1 nmol m-2 s-1). A "dynamic threshold" obtained by extracting the best daily threshold values from a range of different simulations helped reduce model overestimation of GPP by 213 g C m-2 y-1 and reduce RMSE up to 7.7%. Finally, a nonlinear ozone correction based on manipulative experiments produced the best results when no detoxifying threshold was applied (0 nmol O3 m-2 s-1), suggesting that nonlinear functions fully account for ozone detoxification. The evidence of seasonal changes in ozone tolerance points to the need for seasonal thresholds to predict ozone damage and highlights the importance of performing more species-specific manipulative experiments to derive response functions for a broad range of plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Conte
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Research Centre for Forestry and Wood (FL), Rome, 00166, Italy
| | - F Otu-Larbi
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - A Alivernini
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Research Centre for Forestry and Wood (FL), Rome, 00166, Italy
| | - Y Hoshika
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
| | - E Paoletti
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
| | - K Ashworth
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - S Fares
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Research Centre for Forestry and Wood (FL), Rome, 00166, Italy; National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute of BioEconomy (IBE), Rome, 00185, Italy.
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21
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Martello F, Lattante S, Doronzio PN, Conte A, Bisogni G, Orteschi D, Pirozzi F, Sabatelli M, Zollino M, Marangi G. Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line (UCSCi001-A) from a patient with early-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis carrying a FUS variant. Stem Cell Res 2021; 55:102461. [PMID: 34303285 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2021.102461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons. We generated patient-derived-induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), from an ALS patient affected by an early-onset and aggressive form of the disease, carrying a missense pathogenic variant in FUS gene. We reprogrammed somatic cells using an established Sendai virus protocol and we obtained clones of iPSC. We confirmed their stemness and further generated embryoid bodies, showing their potential of differentiating in all three germ layers. This iPSC line, carrying a pathogenic FUS variant, is a valuable tool to deeply investigate pathogenic mechanisms leading to ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Martello
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Lattante
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Paolo Niccolò Doronzio
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Bisogni
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Orteschi
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Filomena Pirozzi
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcella Zollino
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Conte A, Ghiraldini B, Denófrio PHF, Ribeiro FV, Pimentel SP, Casati MZ, Corrêa MG, Cirano FR. Could implant position influence the peri-implant parameters in edentulous mandibles of diabetics rehabilitated with overdentures? A split-mouth randomized study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2021:S0901-5027(21)00088-6. [PMID: 33715937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2021.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of crestal level position of implants installed in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients rehabilitated with overdentures. Twenty-two mandibular edentulous T2DM patients were submitted to implant placement for retention of an overdenture. By means of a split-mouth design, two implants were installed: one at supracrestal level (SL) and one at crestal level (CL). Clinical, immunoenzymatic and tomographic analyses were performed at prosthesis placement (baseline) and after 6, 12 and 24 months following implant loading. Increased peri-implant probing depths were detected in CL implants when compared with SL implants at all time-points (baseline P=0.047; 6 months P=0.014; 12 months P=0.027; 24 months P=0.036). Indeed, augmented clinical attachment levels were also detected in CL implants when compared with SL implants at all time-points (baseline P=003; 6 months P=0.045; 12 months P=0.029; 24 months P=0.026). CL implants demonstrated increased amounts of interleukin-6 (IL-6) at 6 months (P=0.043) and higher IL-17 (P=0.021), IL-21 (P=0.034) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentrations (P=0.030) at 24 months in comparison with SL implants. CL group revealed enhanced bone loss from baseline to 6 (P=0.032), 12 (P=0.043) and 24 months (P=0.028) when compared with SL. In conclusion, this study showed that implants placed supracrestally in T2DM patients rehabilitated with overdentures demonstrated lower bone loss and better clinical parameters with beneficial modulation of peri-implant immunoinflammatory biomarkers when compared with implants positioned at crestal level.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Conte
- Dental Research Division, School of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - B Ghiraldini
- Dental Research Division, School of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P H F Denófrio
- Dental Research Division, School of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - F V Ribeiro
- Dental Research Division, School of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - S P Pimentel
- Dental Research Division, School of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M Z Casati
- Dental Research Division, School of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M G Corrêa
- Dental Research Division, School of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - F R Cirano
- Dental Research Division, School of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil.
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23
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Lattante S, Doronzio PN, Conte A, Marangi G, Martello F, Bisogni G, Meleo E, Colavito D, Del Giudice E, Patanella AK, Bernardo D, Romano A, Zollino M, Sabatelli M. Novel variants and cellular studies on patients' primary fibroblasts support a role for NEK1 missense variants in ALS pathogenesis. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:65-71. [PMID: 33445179 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab015] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, NEK1 has been identified as a new gene related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Loss-of-function variants have been mostly described, although several missense variants exist, which pathogenic relevance remains to be established. We attempted to determine the contribution of NEK1 gene in an Italian cohort of 531 sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients applying massive parallel sequencing technologies. We filtered results of NEK1 gene and identified 20 NEK1 rare variants (MAF < 0.01) in 22 patients. In particular, we found two novel frameshift variants (p.Glu929Asnfs*12 and p.Val1030Ilefs*23), 18 missense variants, including the p.Arg261His in three patients, and a novel variant in the start codon, the p.Met1?, which most likely impairs translation initiation. To clarify the role of NEK1 missense variants we investigated NEK1 expression in primary fibroblast cultures. We obtained skin biopsies from four patients with NEK1 variants and we assessed NEK1 expression by western blot and immunofluorescence. We detected a decrease in NEK1 expression in fibroblasts from patients with NEK1 variants, suggesting that missense variants in NEK1 gene may have a pathogenic role. Moreover, we observed additional variants in ALS related genes in seven patients with NEK1 variants (32%), further supporting an oligogenic ALS model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Lattante
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Niccolò Doronzio
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Martello
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Bisogni
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Emiliana Meleo
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Colavito
- Research & Innovation (R&I Genetics) srl, 35127 Padua, Italy
| | | | - Agata Katia Patanella
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Bernardo
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Romano
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcella Zollino
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.,Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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24
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Merola C, Lai O, Conte A, Crescenzo G, Torelli T, Alloro M, Perugini M. Toxicological assessment and developmental abnormalities induced by butylparaben and ethylparaben exposure in zebrafish early-life stages. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 80:103504. [PMID: 32980526 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Toxicological effects of butylparaben (BuP) and ethylparaben (EtP) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) early-life stages are not well established. The present study evaluated, using zebrafish embryos and larvae, the toxicity of BuP and EtP through benchmark dose (BMD) approach. BuP was more toxic than EtP to zebrafish larvae. In fact, Lethal Concentration 50 (LC50) values at 96 h post-fertilization (hpf) for BuP and EtP were 2.34 mg/L and 20.86 mg/L, respectively. Indeed, BMD confidence interval (lower bound (BMDL) - upper bound (BMDU) was 0.91-1.92 mg/L for BuP and 10.8-17.4 mg/L for EtP. Zebrafish embryos exposed to 1 mg/L, 2.5 mg/L of BuP and 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L, 20 mg/L, 30 mg/L of EtP showed several developmental abnormalities and teratological effects compared to negative control. Exposed zebrafish developed reduced heartbeat, reduction in blood circulation, blood stasis, pericardial edema, deformed notochord and misshaped yolk sac. Embryos exposed to the highest concentrations of the chemicals (2.5 mg/L of BuP, 10 mg/L, 20 mg/L and 30 mg/L of EtP) showed the developmental abnormalities at 48 hpf while those treated with 1 mg/L of BuP and 10 mg/L of EtP reported behavioral changes at 72 hpf, including trembling of head, pectoral fins and spinal cord. This research identified the lethal and sublethal effects of BuP and EtP in zebrafish early-life stages and could be helpful to elucidate the developmental pathways of toxicity of parabens.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Merola
- Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - O Lai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, S.P. per Casamassima, Km 3, 70010, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | - A Conte
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale "G. Caporale", via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - G Crescenzo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, S.P. per Casamassima, Km 3, 70010, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | - T Torelli
- Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - M Alloro
- Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - M Perugini
- Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
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25
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Merola C, Perugini M, Conte A, Angelozzi G, Bozzelli M, Amorena M. Embryotoxicity of methylparaben to zebrafish (Danio rerio) early-life stages. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 236:108792. [PMID: 32428600 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2020.108792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Methylparaben (MeP) is widely used as preservative in personal care products, food commodities and pharmaceuticals due to its antimicrobial properties. Its widespread use resulted in the contamination of aquatic environment and raised concerns about the potential adverse effects on human health, especially in the developing organisms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the embryotoxicity of MeP in zebrafish early-life stages applying the benchmark-dose (BMD) methodology to Fish embryo acute toxicity (FET) tests-OECD guideline 236. Toxic effects were studied by daily evaluation of lethal endpoints, hatching rate and sublethal alterations. Zebrafish fertilized eggs were exposed until 96 h post fertilization (hpf) to five concentrations of MeP: 1 mg/L, 10 mg/L, 30 mg/L, 60 mg/L and 80 mg/L. The lethal concentration 50 (LC 50) was 72.67 mg/L. Indeed, BMD confidence interval (lower bound, BMDL-upper bound, BMDU) was 40.8-57.4 mg/L for lethal endpoints and 16-26.5 mg/L for toxicity index, that includes both lethal and sublethal alterations. Zebrafish embryos exposed to MeP developed sublethal alterations including pericardial edema, yolk edema, blood stasis, reduction in blood circulation, reduced heartbeat and notochord curvature. The number of embryos exposed to the highest concentrations of MeP that reported sublethal alterations increased between 24hpf and 48 hpf-72 hpf-96 hpf. Only zebrafish larvae treated with 30 mg/L of MeP showed behavioural changes. This study highlighted the detrimental effects of MeP on zebrafish early-life stages with attention to its developmental toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Merola
- Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Italy
| | - M Perugini
- Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Italy.
| | - A Conte
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale "G. Caporale", via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - G Angelozzi
- Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Italy
| | - M Bozzelli
- Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Italy
| | - M Amorena
- Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Italy
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26
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Lattante S, Marangi G, Doronzio PN, Conte A, Bisogni G, Zollino M, Sabatelli M. High-Throughput Genetic Testing in ALS: The Challenging Path of Variant Classification Considering the ACMG Guidelines. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11101123. [PMID: 32987860 PMCID: PMC7600768 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of high-throughput sequencing technologies and screening of big patient cohorts with familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) led to the identification of a significant number of genetic variants, which are sometimes difficult to interpret. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) provided guidelines to help molecular geneticists and pathologists to interpret variants found in laboratory testing. We assessed the application of the ACMG criteria to ALS-related variants, combining data from literature with our experience. We analyzed a cohort of 498 ALS patients using massive parallel sequencing of ALS-associated genes and identified 280 variants with a minor allele frequency < 1%. Examining all variants using the ACMG criteria, thus considering the type of variant, inheritance, familial segregation, and possible functional studies, we classified 20 variants as “pathogenic”. In conclusion, ALS’s genetic complexity, such as oligogenic inheritance, presence of genes acting as risk factors, and reduced penetrance, needs to be considered when interpreting variants. The goal of this work is to provide helpful suggestions to geneticists and clinicians dealing with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Lattante
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Roma, Italy; (S.L.); (P.N.D.); (M.Z.)
- Complex Operational Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Roma, Italy; (S.L.); (P.N.D.); (M.Z.)
- Complex Operational Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0630154606
| | - Paolo Niccolò Doronzio
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Roma, Italy; (S.L.); (P.N.D.); (M.Z.)
- Complex Operational Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Complex Operational Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Giulia Bisogni
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Complex Operational Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Marcella Zollino
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Roma, Italy; (S.L.); (P.N.D.); (M.Z.)
- Complex Operational Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Complex Operational Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
- Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Roma, Italy
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27
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Marcelli A, Sebastianelli M, Conte A, Lucci F, Della Ventura G. Micro-climatic investigation and particulate detection in indoor environments: the case of the historical museum of Bersaglieri in Rome. Rend Fis Acc Lincei 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-020-00935-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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28
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Schito P, Ceccardi G, Calvo A, Falzone YM, Moglia C, Lunetta C, Marinou K, Ticozzi N, Scialo C, Sorarù G, Trojsi F, Conte A, Tortelli R, Russo M, Zucchi E, Pozzi L, Domi T, Carrera P, Agosta F, Quattrini A, Fazio R, Chiò A, Sansone VA, Mora G, Silani V, Volanti P, Caponnetto C, Querin G, Tedeschi G, Sabatelli M, Logroscino G, Messina S, Mandrioli J, Riva N, Filippi M. Clinical features and outcomes of the flail arm and flail leg and pure lower motor neuron MND variants: a multicentre Italian study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:1001-1003. [PMID: 32651246 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-323542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paride Schito
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Calvo
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, ALS Turin Center, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Yuri Matteo Falzone
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, ALS Turin Center, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Christian Lunetta
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy
| | - Kalliopi Marinou
- Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, ALS Center, Maugeri Clinical Research Institutes IRCCS Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Milano, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation 'Dino Ferrari' Center, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Carlo Scialo
- AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences, Neuromuscolar Center, Universita degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesca Trojsi
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences; MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli School of Medicine and Surgery, Napoli, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation-Pol. A. Gemelli Foundation, University Hospital Agostino Gemelli Department of Geriatrics Neurosciences and Orthopedics, Roma, Italy
| | - Rosanna Tortelli
- Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Massimo Russo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Pozzi
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Teuta Domi
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Carrera
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, Unit of Genomics for human disease diagnosis, Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Federica Agosta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Adriano Chiò
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, ALS Turin Center, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Ada Sansone
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Gabriele Mora
- Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, ALS Center, Maugeri Clinical Research Institutes IRCCS Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Milano, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation 'Dino Ferrari' Center, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Volanti
- Neurorehabilitation Unit/ALS Center, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Mistretta, Italy
| | - Claudia Caponnetto
- AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Giorgia Querin
- Department of Neurosciences, Neuromuscolar Center, Universita degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Tedeschi
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences; MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli School of Medicine and Surgery, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation-Pol. A. Gemelli Foundation, University Hospital Agostino Gemelli Department of Geriatrics Neurosciences and Orthopedics, Roma, Italy.,Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Orthopedics, Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Rome Campus, Roma, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Sonia Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Messina, Italy
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy .,Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy .,Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy.,Neurophysiology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
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Conte A, Ferrazzano G, Berardelli A. Does EMG provide essential information for the diagnosis and treatment of blepharospasm? Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 131:1660-1661. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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30
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Tasca G, Lattante S, Marangi G, Conte A, Bernardo D, Bisogni G, Mandich P, Zollino M, Ragozzino E, Udd B, Sabatelli M. SOD1 p.D12Y variant is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/distal myopathy spectrum. Eur J Neurol 2020; 27:1304-1309. [PMID: 32250500 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim of our study was to describe patients with the p.D12Y variant (previously reported as D11Y) in SOD1 showing heterogeneous clinicopathological features. METHODS We performed clinical, electrophysiological, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and muscle pathology studies in four SOD1 p.D12Y variant-positive patients. RESULTS The SOD1 p.D12Y clinical manifestations ranged from a benign phenotype characterized by distal distribution of muscular weakness and long survival to classic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with poor prognosis. Two patients with the distal clinical phenotype showed MRI and muscle pathology alterations indicating a concurrent muscle involvement. In one of these patients significant myopathic changes were associated with rimmed vacuolar pathology. CONCLUSIONS We expand the clinical spectrum of SOD1 p.D12Y variant, including predominant lower motor neuron forms with long survival and classic forms with aggressive course. Some patients may have concomitant distal myopathy without other explanations. Given clinical, MRI and muscle pathology alterations, SOD1 should be considered in the differential diagnosis of molecularly undefined distal myopathies with rimmed vacuoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Tasca
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - S Lattante
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Genetica Medica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - G Marangi
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Genetica Medica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - A Conte
- Centro Clinico NEMO, Roma, Italy
| | | | | | - P Mandich
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - M Zollino
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Genetica Medica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - E Ragozzino
- Istituto di Neurologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - B Udd
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuromuscular Research Center, Tampere University and University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - M Sabatelli
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Centro Clinico NEMO, Roma, Italy.,Istituto di Neurologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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31
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Lattante S, Doronzio PN, Marangi G, Conte A, Bisogni G, Bernardo D, Russo T, Lamberti D, Patrizi S, Apollo FP, Lunetta C, Scarlino S, Pozzi L, Zollino M, Riva N, Sabatelli M. Coexistence of variants in TBK1 and in other ALS-related genes elucidates an oligogenic model of pathogenesis in sporadic ALS. Neurobiol Aging 2019; 84:239.e9-239.e14. [PMID: 31000212 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Variants in tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) are responsible for a significant proportion of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases. In the present study, we analyzed variants in TBK1 extracted by targeted sequencing of 32 genes in a group of 406 Italian patients with ALS. We identified 7 different TBK1 variants in 7 sporadic cases, resulting in a frequency of 1.7%. Three patients had missense variants (p.R357Q, p.R358H, and p.R724C), one patient had a small deletion (p.E618del), and 3 had truncating variants (p.Y482*, p.R229*, and p.N681*). Notably, we found that 4 patients had an additional variant in ALS-related genes: 2 in OPTN and 2 in the 3'UTR region of FUS. By studying an independent group of 7 TBK1-mutated patients previously reported, we found another variant in the 3'UTR region of FUS in one patient. The presence of a second variant in TBK1 variant carriers is an interesting finding that needs to be investigated in larger cohorts of patients. These findings suggest that TBK1 belongs to the category of genes conferring a significantly increased risk but not sufficient to cause disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Lattante
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Unità Operativa Complessa di Genetica Medica, Roma, Italy; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Niccolò Doronzio
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Unità Operativa Complessa di Genetica Medica, Roma, Italy; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Unità Operativa Complessa di Genetica Medica, Roma, Italy; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Roma, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Tommaso Russo
- Dipartimento Scienze dell'invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della testa-collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, Roma, Italy; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Neurologia, Roma, Italy
| | - Dante Lamberti
- Unità di Oncogenomica ed Epigenetica, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena, Roma, Italy
| | - Sara Patrizi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Unità Operativa Complessa di Genetica Medica, Roma, Italy; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Apollo
- Divisione di Neurologia, Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Scarlino
- Divisione di Neuroscienze, Dipartimento di Neurologia, Istituto di Neurologia Sperimentale (INSPE), Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Pozzi
- Divisione di Neuroscienze, Dipartimento di Neurologia, Istituto di Neurologia Sperimentale (INSPE), Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Marcella Zollino
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Unità Operativa Complessa di Genetica Medica, Roma, Italy; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Roma, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Divisione di Neuroscienze, Dipartimento di Neurologia, Istituto di Neurologia Sperimentale (INSPE), Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Centro Clinico NEMO, Roma, Italy; Dipartimento Scienze dell'invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della testa-collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, Roma, Italy; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Neurologia, Roma, Italy.
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32
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Paoletti E, Alivernini A, Anav A, Badea O, Carrari E, Chivulescu S, Conte A, Ciriani ML, Dalstein-Richier L, De Marco A, Fares S, Fasano G, Giovannelli A, Lazzara M, Leca S, Materassi A, Moretti V, Pitar D, Popa I, Sabatini F, Salvati L, Sicard P, Sorgi T, Hoshika Y. Toward stomatal-flux based forest protection against ozone: The MOTTLES approach. Sci Total Environ 2019; 691:516-527. [PMID: 31325852 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
European standards for the protection of forests from ozone (O3) are based on atmospheric exposure (AOT40) that is not always representative of O3 effects since it is not a proxy of gas uptake through stomata (stomatal flux). MOTTLES "MOnitoring ozone injury for seTTing new critical LEvelS" is a LIFE project aimed at establishing a permanent network of forest sites based on active O3 monitoring at remote areas at high and medium risk of O3 injury, in order to define new standards based on stomatal flux, i.e. PODY (Phytotoxic Ozone Dose above a threshold Y of uptake). Based on the first year of data collected at MOTTLES sites, we describe the MOTTLES monitoring station, together with protocols and metric calculation methods. AOT40 and PODY, computed with different methods, are then compared and correlated with forest-health indicators (radial growth, crown defoliation, visible foliar O3 injury). For the year 2017, the average AOT40 calculated according to the European Directive was even 5 times (on average 1.7 times) the European legislative standard for the protection of forests. When the metrics were calculated according to the European protocols (EU Directive 2008/50/EC or Modelling and Mapping Manual LTRAP Convention), the values were well correlated to those obtained on the basis of the real duration of the growing season (i.e. MOTTLES method) and were thus representative of the actual exposure/flux. AOT40 showed opposite direction relative to PODY. Visible foliar O3 injury appeared as the best forest-health indicator for O3 under field conditions and was more frequently detected at forest edge than inside the forest. The present work may help the set-up of further long-term forest monitoring sites dedicated to O3 assessment in forests, especially because flux-based assessments are recommended as part of monitoring air pollution impacts on ecosystems in the revised EU National Emissions Ceilings Directive.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Paoletti
- CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - A Alivernini
- CREA - Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, Viale S. Margherita 80, 52100 Arezzo, Italy
| | - A Anav
- CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; ENEA, SSPT-PVS, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Santa Maria di Galeria (Rome), Italy
| | - O Badea
- INCDS, 128 Eroilor Bvd., 077030 Voluntari, Romania
| | - E Carrari
- CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
| | - S Chivulescu
- INCDS, 128 Eroilor Bvd., 077030 Voluntari, Romania
| | - A Conte
- CREA - Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, Viale S. Margherita 80, 52100 Arezzo, Italy
| | - M L Ciriani
- GIEFS, 69 avenue des Hespérides, 06300 Nice, France
| | | | - A De Marco
- ENEA, SSPT-PVS, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Santa Maria di Galeria (Rome), Italy
| | - S Fares
- CREA - Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, Viale S. Margherita 80, 52100 Arezzo, Italy
| | - G Fasano
- CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - A Giovannelli
- CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - M Lazzara
- CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - S Leca
- INCDS, 128 Eroilor Bvd., 077030 Voluntari, Romania
| | - A Materassi
- CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - V Moretti
- CREA - Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, Viale S. Margherita 80, 52100 Arezzo, Italy
| | - D Pitar
- INCDS, 128 Eroilor Bvd., 077030 Voluntari, Romania
| | - I Popa
- INCDS, 128 Eroilor Bvd., 077030 Voluntari, Romania
| | - F Sabatini
- CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - L Salvati
- CREA - Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, Viale S. Margherita 80, 52100 Arezzo, Italy
| | - P Sicard
- ARGANS, 260 route du Pin Montard, 06410 Biot, France
| | - T Sorgi
- CREA - Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, Viale S. Margherita 80, 52100 Arezzo, Italy
| | - Y Hoshika
- CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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Ardelean AI, Calistri P, Giovannini A, Garofolo G, Di Pasquale A, Conte A, MorelliD D. Development of food safety risk assessment tools based on molecular typing and WGS of Campylobacter jejuni genome. EFSA J 2019; 17:e170903. [PMID: 32626461 PMCID: PMC7015486 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2019.e170903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The ‘learning‐by‐doing’ EU‐FORA fellowship programme in the development of risk assessment tools based on molecular typing and WGS of Campylobacter jejuni genome was structured into two main activities: the primary one focused on training on risk assessment methodology and the secondary one in starting and enhancing the cooperation between the hosting and home organisations, or other joint activities. The primary activities had three subsequent work packages (WPs): WP1 data organisation, WP2 cluster and association analyses, and WP3 development of risk assessment models. The secondary activities have branched into one workshop and the initiation of a cooperation programme between the hosting and home organisations. In the last quarter, the fellow had contributed to the characterisation of some pathogens in possible response to a changing climate, part of the CLEFSA project. The fellow attended various forms of training: online and on‐site courses, and also participated at several conferences and meetings for improving his knowledge and skills, contributing to performing the Campylobacter risk assessment and source attribution.
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Trojsi F, Siciliano M, Femiano C, Santangelo G, Lunetta C, Calvo A, Moglia C, Marinou K, Ticozzi N, Ferro C, Scialò C, Sorarù G, Conte A, Falzone YM, Tortelli R, Russo M, Sansone VA, Chiò A, Mora G, Silani V, Volanti P, Caponnetto C, Querin G, Sabatelli M, Riva N, Logroscino G, Messina S, Fasano A, Monsurrò MR, Tedeschi G, Mandrioli J. Comparative Analysis of C9orf72 and Sporadic Disease in a Large Multicenter ALS Population: The Effect of Male Sex on Survival of C9orf72 Positive Patients. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:485. [PMID: 31156370 PMCID: PMC6534038 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated whether the C9orf72 repeat expansion is associated with specific clinical features, comorbidities, and prognosis in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A cohort of 1417 ALS patients, diagnosed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013 by 13 Italian ALS Referral Centers, was screened for the C9orf72 repeat expansion, and the analyses were performed comparing patients carrying this expansion (ALS-C9Pos) to those negative for this and other explored ALS-related mutations (ALS without genetic mutations, ALSwoGM). Compared to the ALSwoGM group, ALS-C9Pos patients (n = 84) were younger at disease onset, at the first clinical observation and at diagnosis (p < 0.001). After correcting for these differences, we found that ALS-C9Pos patients had higher odds of bulbar onset, diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and family history of ALS, FTD, and Alzheimer's disease and had lower odds of spinal onset, non-invasive ventilation, hypertension and psychiatric diseases than ALSwoGM patients. Among these variables, those related to shorter survival time were: bulbar onset, presence of FTD, hypertension, psychiatric disease, and family history of ALS (p < 0.05). Cox proportional hazards regression multivariate analysis suggested that carrying the C9orf72 repeat expansion was an independent factor negatively impacting on survival time in men (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.07–2.33, p = 0.021), but not in women (p > 0.05) as well as in the whole sample (p > 0.05). When compared to ALSwoGM, ALS-C9Pos showed an earlier disease onset, no significant diagnostic delay and a higher odds of bulbar onset, FTD and family history of ALS and dementia. Moreover, male sex drove the negative effect of expanded variant on survival, confirming the hypothesis that sex is likely to be a crucial factor in the biology of C9orf72-related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Trojsi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Mattia Siciliano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Femiano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Santangelo
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Christian Lunetta
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation, Milan, Italy.,NEMO Sud Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Aurora Onlus Foundation, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- ALS Center, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- ALS Center, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Kalliopi Marinou
- Department of Neurorehabilitation-ALS Center, IRCCS Scientific Clinical Institute Maugeri, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Christian Ferro
- Neurorehabilitation Unit/ALS Center, Scientific Clinical Institutes (ICS) Maugeri, IRCCS, Messina, Italy
| | - Carlo Scialò
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genova, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences, Neuromuscular Center, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation-Pol. A. Gemelli Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Yuri M Falzone
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosanna Tortelli
- Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari "A. Moro", at Pia Fondazione "Card. G. Panico", Lecce, Italy
| | - Massimo Russo
- NEMO Sud Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Aurora Onlus Foundation, Messina, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Valeria Ada Sansone
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Center, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriele Mora
- Department of Neurorehabilitation-ALS Center, IRCCS Scientific Clinical Institute Maugeri, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Volanti
- Neurorehabilitation Unit/ALS Center, Scientific Clinical Institutes (ICS) Maugeri, IRCCS, Messina, Italy
| | - Claudia Caponnetto
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genova, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy
| | - Giorgia Querin
- Department of Neurosciences, Neuromuscular Center, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation-Pol. A. Gemelli Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Orthopedics, Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari "A. Moro", at Pia Fondazione "Card. G. Panico", Lecce, Italy
| | - Sonia Messina
- NEMO Sud Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Aurora Onlus Foundation, Messina, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Fasano
- Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Monsurrò
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Tedeschi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Calistri P, Conte A, Monaco F, Goffredo M, Danzetta M, Di Sabatino D, Iapaolo F, Candeloro L, Ippoliti C, Mancini G, Giovannini A. Possible drivers for the increased West Nile virus transmission in Italy in 2018. Int J Infect Dis 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.11.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Tofani M, Massai P, Fabbrini G, Berardi A, Pelosin E, Conte A, De Bartolo I, Valente D. Psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Barthel Index in patients with Parkinson's disease: a reliability and validity study. Funct Neurol 2019; 34:145-150. [PMID: 32453995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Barthel Index (BI) is used in Italy to measure the severity of disability and to identify patients suitable for admission to rehabilitation units. The objective of this psychometric study was to validate the Italian version of the BI in a population of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The study was conducted at three neurological and rehabilitation centres in Rome, Italy. The BI was administered to outpatients with PD. The reliability of the scale was assessed using Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency; the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to measure its intra- and inter-rater reliability. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated to evaluate its validity, comparing it with the Parkinson's disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), the Italian version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Short Form 36-Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). The BI was administered to 94 patients with PD. The psychometric properties measured were significant: Cronbach's alpha was 0.866 and the ICC for intra- and inter-rater reliability was 0.998 and 0.993, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed good correlation with the PDQ-39, GDS, HADS and SF-36 (p < 0.01). The BI is a valid and reliable tool for measuring disability in a PD population.
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37
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Ferrazzano G, Conte A, Gigante A, Defazio G, Berardelli A, Fabbrini G. Disease progression in blepharospasm: a 5-year longitudinal study. Eur J Neurol 2018; 26:268-273. [PMID: 30308706 DOI: 10.1111/ene.13832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The clinical manifestation of dystonic spasms in blepharospasm (BSP) patients may be heterogeneous. Whether the varying phenomenology of eyelid spasms becomes manifest sequentially during the course of the disease or aggregates in separate clusters according to different disease courses is still unclear. For this purpose, the clinical features in BSP patients were evaluated longitudinally over a 5-year period and also the blink reflex recovery cycle was tested in a subgroup of BSP patients. METHODS Sixty BSP patients were videotaped at time 0 and after approximately 5 years of follow-up. Two experts in movement disorders, who were blinded to the video order, reviewed the videotapes and scored the severity of BSP using the Blepharospasm Severity Rating Scale. Changes in the R2 recovery index were also evaluated in 18 patients twice, i.e. upon enrolment and at the follow-up. RESULTS The severity of BSP worsened significantly over the 5-year follow-up period owing to the appearance or the increased duration and frequency of prolonged spasms. It was also found that the blink reflex recovery cycle worsened at follow-up in comparison with the baseline. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the disease progression of BSP is characterized by the appearance or worsening of prolonged spasms. Prolonged spasms are accompanied by changes in the excitability of brainstem interneurons. Aging-related effects may exacerbate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying spasms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Conte
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.,Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Gigante
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, 'Aldo Moro', University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - G Defazio
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, 'Aldo Moro', University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - A Berardelli
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.,Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G Fabbrini
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.,Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Bianco AR, Stefani S, Gridelli C, Gentile M, Contegiacomo A, Giampaglia F, Lauria R, Conte A, Ferrante G. Intensive Alternating Combination Chemotherapy and High Dose Chest Radiotherapy in Small Cell Lung Cancer. Tumori 2018; 77:437-41. [PMID: 1664155 DOI: 10.1177/030089169107700513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sixty-nine patients, 32 with limited and 37 with extensive small cell lung cancer (SCLC), were admitted to the present study. Patients with limited disease underwent alternating combination chemotherapy consisting of CAV (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine) and PE (cisplatin and etoposide) regimens and concurrent high dose thoracic radiotherapy (6,000 cGy); prophylactic brain irradiation (3,000 cGy) was administered to complete responders. Patients with extensive disease received the same alternating chemotherapy but not radiotherapy. In the 25 evaluable patients with limited disease we obtained an objective response (OR) in 80% with a complete response (CR) in 54% and partial response (PR) in 24%, stable disease (SD) in 4% and progressive disease (PD) in 16%. Median duration of response was 9.5 months for CR and 8.5 months for PR. Median survival was 14 months for all patients with 12% long-term survivors. Toxicity was acceptable. In the 32 evaluable patients with extensive disease we observed 65.6% OR with 18.7% CR and 46.8% PR, 9.3% minimal response and 25% PD. Median duration of response was 7 months for CR and 8 months for PR. Median survival was 10 months for all patients. The treatment was well tolerated. Our study did not show a therapeutic advantage for alternating combination chemotherapy in SCLC and failed to show the use of high dose chest radiotherapy in combined modality for limited disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Bianco
- Cattedra di Oncologia Medica, 2a Facoltà di Medicina, Università di Napoli, Italy
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Mandrioli J, Ferri L, Fasano A, Zucchi E, Fini N, Moglia C, Lunetta C, Marinou K, Ticozzi N, Drago Ferrante G, Scialo C, Sorarù G, Trojsi F, Conte A, Falzone YM, Tortelli R, Russo M, Sansone VA, Mora G, Silani V, Volanti P, Caponnetto C, Querin G, Monsurrò MR, Sabatelli M, Chiò A, Riva N, Logroscino G, Messina S, Calvo A. Cardiovascular diseases may play a negative role in the prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2018. [PMID: 29512869 DOI: 10.1111/ene.13620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Only a few studies have considered the role of comorbidities in the prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and have provided conflicting results. METHODS Our multicentre, retrospective study included patients diagnosed from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2013 in 13 referral centres for ALS located in 10 Italian regions. Neurologists at these centres collected a detailed phenotypic profile and follow-up data until death in an electronic database. Comorbidities at diagnosis were recorded by main categories and single medical diagnosis, with the aim of investigating their role in ALS prognosis. RESULTS A total of 2354 incident cases were collected, with a median survival time from onset to death/tracheostomy of 43 months. According to univariate analysis, together with well-known clinical prognostic factors (age at onset, diagnostic delay, site of onset, phenotype, Revised El Escorial Criteria and body mass index at diagnosis), the presence of dementia, hypertension, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, haematological and psychiatric diseases was associated with worse survival. In multivariate analysis, age at onset, diagnostic delay, phenotypes, body mass index at diagnosis, Revised El Escorial Criteria, dementia, hypertension, heart diseases (atrial fibrillation and heart failure) and haematological diseases (disorders of thrombosis and haemostasis) were independent prognostic factors of survival in ALS. CONCLUSIONS Our large, multicentre study demonstrated that, together with the known clinical factors that are known to be prognostic for ALS survival, hypertension and heart diseases (i.e. atrial fibrillation and heart failure) as well as haematological diseases are independently associated with a shorter survival. Our findings suggest some mechanisms that are possibly involved in disease progression, giving new interesting clues that may be of value for clinical practice and ALS comorbidity management.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mandrioli
- Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
| | - L Ferri
- Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
| | - A Fasano
- Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
| | - E Zucchi
- Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
| | - N Fini
- Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
| | - C Moglia
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino
| | - C Lunetta
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation, Milano.,NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO) Sud Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Aurora Onlus Foundation, Messina
| | - K Marinou
- Department of Neurorehabilitation-ALS Center, Scientific Institute of Milan, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation IRCCS, Milan
| | - N Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, 'Dino Ferrari' Center, University of Milan, Milan
| | - G Drago Ferrante
- Neurorehabilitation Unit/ALS Center, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Mistretta, Messina
| | - C Scialo
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genova
| | - G Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences, Neuromuscular Center, University of Padova, Padua
| | - F Trojsi
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples
| | - A Conte
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation-Pol. A. Gemelli Foundation, Rome
| | - Y M Falzone
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan
| | - R Tortelli
- Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari at Pia Fondazione 'Card. G. Panico', Tricase, Lecce
| | - M Russo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina and Nemo Sud Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Aurora Foundation, Messina
| | - V A Sansone
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation, Milano.,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan
| | - G Mora
- Department of Neurorehabilitation-ALS Center, Scientific Institute of Milan, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation IRCCS, Milan
| | - V Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, 'Dino Ferrari' Center, University of Milan, Milan
| | - P Volanti
- Neurorehabilitation Unit/ALS Center, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Mistretta, Messina
| | - C Caponnetto
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genova
| | - G Querin
- Department of Neurosciences, Neuromuscular Center, University of Padova, Padua
| | - M R Monsurrò
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples
| | - M Sabatelli
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation-Pol. A. Gemelli Foundation, Rome.,Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - A Chiò
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino
| | - N Riva
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan
| | - G Logroscino
- Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari at Pia Fondazione 'Card. G. Panico', Tricase, Lecce
| | - S Messina
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO) Sud Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Aurora Onlus Foundation, Messina.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina and Nemo Sud Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Aurora Foundation, Messina
| | - A Calvo
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino
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Belvisi D, Conte A, Cutrona C, Costanzo M, Ferrazzano G, Fabbrini G, Berardelli A. Re-emergent tremor in Parkinson's disease: the effect of dopaminergic treatment. Eur J Neurol 2018. [PMID: 29512863 DOI: 10.1111/ene.13619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with resting tremor may be affected by a tremor that appears after a varying latency while a posture is maintained, a phenomenon referred to as re-emergent tremor (RET). The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence and clinical features of RET in patients with PD tested off and on treatment, and to compare the effect of dopaminergic treatment on RET with the effect on resting and action tremor. METHODS We consecutively enrolled 100 patients with PD. Patients were clinically evaluated 24 h after withdrawal of therapy (off-treatment phase) and 60 min after therapy administration (on-treatment phase). We collected the demographic and clinical data of patients with PD. The severity of the disease was assessed by means of the Hoehn and Yahr scale and Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III. We evaluated the latency, severity and body side affected both off and on treatment in patients with RET. RESULTS Re-emergent tremor was present in 24% of the patients with PD off treatment and in 19% of the patients on treatment. Dopaminergic treatment reduced the clinical severity of RET. Dopaminergic treatment increased the number of patients with unilateral RET and reduced the number of those who had bilateral RET. RET and resting tremor responded similarly to dopaminergic treatment, whereas action tremor was less responsive. Patients with RET had milder motor symptoms than patients without RET both off and on treatment. CONCLUSIONS Dopaminergic treatment modified RET occurrence, severity and body distribution. Dopaminergic depletion plays a role in the pathophysiology of RET.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Conte
- Neuromed Institute, Pozzilli, Italy.,Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - C Cutrona
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M Costanzo
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - G Fabbrini
- Neuromed Institute, Pozzilli, Italy.,Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Berardelli
- Neuromed Institute, Pozzilli, Italy.,Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Ardemagni A, Bestetti A, Tagliabue L, Del Sole A, Conte A, Tarolo GL, Di Leo C. A Rare Case of Polyostotic Fibrous Dysplasia Assessed by Bone Scintigraphy with Tc-99m Methylene Diphosphonate (MDP). Nuklearmedizin 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
SummaryA 66-year-old man affected by polyostotic form of fibrous dysplasia in consequence of worsening of lower extremity bone pain aggravated by walking and concomitant increase of serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, was subjected first to a radionuclide study. Bone scan demonstrated a pathological uptake of the radiotracer in the craniofacial bones, right scapula, left and right posterior ribs, right hemipelvis and lower extremities confirming the diagnosis but establishing especially the extent of bone involvement, greater than expected on the basis of symptoms and X-ray findings, underlying the importance of nuclear medicine imaging in the assessment and follow-up of this rare disease.
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Abstract
In this work a bio-preservation technique was applied to sea bass fillets in order to preserve their quality. The preservation consisted in the application of two kinds of active coatings on the product surface differing in the fermentation time of alginate solution by L. reuteri plus glycerol (24 and 48 h). This technological strategy was chosen because it has been demonstrated that L. reuteri produces the reuterin as an intermediate metabolite during the anaerobic fermentation of glycerol. To assess the antimicrobial effects of sodium alginate with L. reuteri and glycerol, both in vitro and in vivo tests were carried out. The active films, in particular at 48 h fermentation, showed a good antibacterial activity, confirmed also by the major reuterin concentration. To prove the effectiveness of the treatments, microbial and sensory attributes were monitored by in vivo test on fish fillets. Results highlighted that the two active sodium alginate coatings showed a good antibacterial activity. In sea bass fillets stored at 4 °C, proliferation of main spoilage microorganisms was delayed with a consequent preservation of sensory attributes. In particular, it was found that improving the fermentation time (48 h) a better microbiological and sensory quality was achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Angiolillo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - A Conte
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71121 Foggia, Italy.
| | - M A Del Nobile
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71121 Foggia, Italy
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Abstract
Fresh pasta is highly susceptible to microbial contamination because of its high water activity and nutrient content. In this study, a new biopreservation system was examined that consists of an active sodium alginate solution containing Lactobacillus reuteri and glycerol, which was added during the production process of pasta. Our aim was to extend the fresh pasta shelf life by the in situ production of reuterin, thereby avoiding the use of thermal treatments that generally compromise food sensory characteristics. Two experimental studies were carried out with the product packaged under either ordinary or modified atmospheric conditions. Microbiological and sensory quality indices were monitored to determine the effectiveness of biopreservation on product quality during storage. The use of the active solution with L. reuteri and glycerol during the production process of pasta improved both microbial and sensory quality, particularly when combined with modified atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Angiolillo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25-71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - A Conte
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25-71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - M A Del Nobile
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25-71122 Foggia, Italy
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Defazio G, Conte A, Gigante A, Ferrazzano G, Pellicciari R, Dagostino S, Fabbrini G, Berardelli A. Clinical heterogeneity in patients with idiopathic blepharospasm: A cluster analysis. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2017; 40:64-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2017.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Savini L, Candeloro L, Conte A, De Massis F, Giovannini A. Development of a forecasting model for brucellosis spreading in the Italian cattle trade network aimed to prioritise the field interventions. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177313. [PMID: 28654703 PMCID: PMC5486964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis caused by Brucella abortus is an important zoonosis that constitutes a serious hazard to public health. Prevention of human brucellosis depends on the control of the disease in animals. Livestock movement data represent a valuable source of information to understand the pattern of contacts between holdings, which may determine the inter-herds and intra-herd spread of the disease. The manuscript addresses the use of computational epidemic models rooted in the knowledge of cattle trade network to assess the probabilities of brucellosis spread and to design control strategies. Three different spread network-based models were proposed: the DFC (Disease Flow Centrality) model based only on temporal cattle network structure and unrelated to the epidemiological disease parameters; a deterministic SIR (Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered) model; a stochastic SEIR (Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered) model in which epidemiological and demographic within-farm aspects were also modelled. Containment strategies based on farms centrality in the cattle network were tested and discussed. All three models started from the identification of the entire sub-network originated from an infected farm, up to the fifth order of contacts. Their performances were based on data collected in Sicily in the framework of the national eradication plan of brucellosis in 2009. Results show that the proposed methods improves the efficacy and efficiency of the tracing activities in comparison to the procedure currently adopted by the veterinary services in the brucellosis control, in Italy. An overall assessment shows that the SIR model is the most suitable for the practical needs of the veterinary services, being the one with the highest sensitivity and the shortest computation time.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Savini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, OIE Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Training, Epidemiology, Food Safety and Animal Welfare, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - L. Candeloro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, OIE Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Training, Epidemiology, Food Safety and Animal Welfare, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - A. Conte
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, OIE Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Training, Epidemiology, Food Safety and Animal Welfare, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - F. De Massis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, OIE Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Training, Epidemiology, Food Safety and Animal Welfare, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - A. Giovannini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, OIE Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Training, Epidemiology, Food Safety and Animal Welfare, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
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Danza A, Conte A, Del Nobile MA. Technological options to control quality of fish burgers. J Food Sci Technol 2017; 54:1802-1808. [PMID: 28720935 PMCID: PMC5495703 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-017-2609-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This research was focused on preservation strategies applied to develop fish burgers enriched with tomato flour and extra-virgin olive oil. The effects of three different gas mixtures (5:95 O2/CO2; 10:60:30 O2/CO2/N2 and 5:50:45 O2/CO2/N2) on burger quality were analyzed by monitoring microbial cell load of main spoilage microorganisms, pH and sensory properties. As expected, modified atmosphere packaging significantly affected mesophilic bacteria with a reduction of about 2 log cycles for samples under 5% O2 and 95% CO2. Afterward, the best gas mixture was used in combination with various natural antimicrobial compounds (thymol, grape fruit seed extract and biocitrus). The biocitrus showed the strike balance between microbial and sensory quality, thus suggesting to be adopted for dipping treatment of the entire fish fillet before the mincing process. Later all the strategies tested individually were combined and samples were monitored for microbiological and sensory quality. Results obtained showed that dipping treatment of fillet in biocitrus solution (20,000 ppm) under modified conditions extended the shelf life by 8 days compared to the control sample, without affecting the sensory acceptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Danza
- Department of Agriculture Sciences, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - A. Conte
- Department of Agriculture Sciences, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - M. A. Del Nobile
- Department of Agriculture Sciences, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy
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Mandrioli J, Michalke B, Solovyev N, Grill P, Violi F, Lunetta C, Conte A, Sansone VA, Sabatelli M, Vinceti M. Elevated Levels of Selenium Species in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients with Disease-Associated Gene Mutations. NEURODEGENER DIS 2017; 17:171-180. [PMID: 28478440 DOI: 10.1159/000460253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although an increasing role of genetic susceptibility has been recognized, the role of environmental risk factors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) etiology is largely uncertain; among neurotoxic chemicals, epidemiological and biological plausibility has been provided for pesticides, the heavy metal lead, the metalloid selenium, and other persistent organic pollutants. Selenium involvement in ALS has been suggested on the basis of epidemiological studies, in vitro investigations, and veterinary studies in which selenium induced a selective toxicity against motor neurons. OBJECTIVE Hypothesizing a multistep pathogenic mechanism (genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure), we aimed to study selenium species in ALS patients carrying disease-associated gene mutations as compared to a series of hospital controls. METHODS Using advanced analytical techniques, we determined selenium species in cerebrospinal fluid sampled at diagnosis in 9 ALS patients carrying different gene mutations (C9ORF72, SOD1, FUS, TARDBP, ATXN2, and TUBA4A) compared to 42 controls. RESULTS In a patient with the tubulin-related TUBA4A mutation, we found highly elevated levels (in μg/L) of glutathione-peroxidase-bound selenium (32.8 vs. 1.0) as well as increased levels of selenoprotein-P-bound selenium (2.4 vs. 0.8), selenite (1.8 vs. 0.1), and selenate (0.9 vs. 0.1). In the remaining ALS patients, we detected elevated selenomethionine-bound selenium levels (0.38 vs. 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Selenium compounds can impair tubulin synthesis and the cytoskeleton structure, as do tubulin-related gene mutations. The elevated selenium species levels in the TUBA4A patient may have a genetic etiology and/or represent a pathogenic pathway through which this mutation favors disease onset, though unmeasured confounding cannot be excluded. The elevated selenomethionine levels in the other patients are also of interest due to the toxicity of this nonphysiological selenium species. Our study is the first to assess selenium exposure in genetic ALS, suggesting an interaction between this environmental factor and genetics in triggering disease onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neurosciences, St. Agostino-Estense Hospital and Local Health Unit of Modena, Modena, Italy
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Conte A, Hajj J, Yang S, Passano E, Barone H, Chang D, Esmailian F, Czer L, Kobashigawa J, Moriguchi J, Arabia F. Utilization of Transverse Abdominis Plexus Block for Treatment of Left Ventricular Assist Device Associated Driveline Pain / Abdominal Pain Refractory to Conventional Multi-Modal Therapy: A Case Series. J Heart Lung Transplant 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2017.01.1006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Conte A, Laverse J, Costa C, Lampignano V, Previtali MA, Del Nobile MA. Conventional or blast freezing prior to frozen storage to preserve properties of fiordilatte cheese. J FOOD PROCESS PRES 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/jfpp.13235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Conte
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell'Ambiente; Università di Foggia, Via Napoli, 25-71122; Foggia Italy
| | - J. Laverse
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell'Ambiente; Università di Foggia, Via Napoli, 25-71122; Foggia Italy
| | - C. Costa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell'Ambiente; Università di Foggia, Via Napoli, 25-71122; Foggia Italy
| | - V. Lampignano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell'Ambiente; Università di Foggia, Via Napoli, 25-71122; Foggia Italy
| | - M. A. Previtali
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell'Ambiente; Università di Foggia, Via Napoli, 25-71122; Foggia Italy
| | - M. A. Del Nobile
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell'Ambiente; Università di Foggia, Via Napoli, 25-71122; Foggia Italy
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Sabatelli M, Marangi G, Conte A, Tasca G, Zollino M, Lattante S. New ALS-Related Genes Expand the Spectrum Paradigm of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Brain Pathol 2016; 26:266-75. [PMID: 26780671 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. Clinical heterogeneity is a well-recognized feature of the disease as age of onset, site of onset and the duration of the disease can vary greatly among patients. A number of genes have been identified and associated to familial and sporadic forms of ALS but the majority of cases remains still unexplained. Recent breakthrough discoveries have demonstrated that clinical manifestations associated with ALS-related genes are not circumscribed to motor neurons involvement. In this view, ALS appears to be linked to different conditions over a continuum or spectrum in which overlapping phenotypes may be identified. In this review, we aim to examine the increasing number of spectra, including ALS/Frontotemporal Dementia and ALS/Myopathies spectra. Considering all these neurodegenerative disorders as different phenotypes of the same spectrum can help to identify common pathological pathways and consequently new therapeutic targets in these incurable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Sabatelli
- Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Orthopedics, Clinic Center NEMO-Roma. Institute of Neurology
| | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Orthopedics, Clinic Center NEMO-Roma. Institute of Neurology
| | | | - Marcella Zollino
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Lattante
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
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