Relationship between inflammatory laboratory parameters and severity of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A pilot study.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a complex condition whose pathogenesis may include inflammation and signs of joint and bone degeneration.

Objective: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the severity of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and inflammatory blood parameters.

Methods: The study recruited patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who attended the Rehabilitation Center of the Apostolo Foundation in Merate (LC).

A stepped-wedge randomised controlled trial to assess efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a care-bundle to prevent falls in older hospitalised patients.

Background: Patient accidental falls in a hospital environment are a serious problem for patient safety, and for the additional costs due to associated medical interventions.

Objective: The endpoints of this study were the assessment of the fall incidence in the hospital before and after the implementation of a multidisciplinary care-bundle, along with a cost-effectiveness evaluation.

Design: A stepped-wedge trial was conducted between April 2015 and December 2016 in Bologna University Hospital.

Screening for hepatitis B virus infection among refugees diagnosed with latent tuberculosis in an Italian community.

Background: Refugees are a growing population in the EU-27 area with specific health needs that are to be addressed in the most rapid and effective way at their arrival in the host country. Screening for Hepatitis B Virus infection is offered to specific categories and it could be useful and effective to extend its indications. The aim of this study was to define the epidemiological profile regarding Hepatitis B Virus infection in re-fugees hosted in the Asylum Seekers Centers of Verona (Italy), diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection and eligible for chemoprophylaxis.

Effects of 15d-PGJ(2) on VEGF-induced angiogenic activities and expression of VEGF receptors in endothelial cells.

15-Deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin-J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)) upregulates expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but may inhibit angiogenesis. We found that 15d-PGJ(2) (1-10muM) attenuated all VEGF-induced angiogenic activities in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). It blocked almost completely cell proliferation, potently reduced migration, assembly into tube-like network on matrigel, and growth of capillaries into collagen gel.

TGF-beta1 mRNA expression in liver biopsy specimens and TGF-beta1 serum levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C before and after antiviral therapy.

Background And Objective: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is the best-characterized profibrogenic cytokine. TGF-beta1 increases the production of extracellular matrix proteins and their receptors and inhibits the synthesis of matrix degrading proteolytic enzymes. We undertook this study to simultaneously evaluate the effect of interferon alpha 2b plus ribavirin therapy on TGF-beta1 daily serum levels and on mRNA TGF-beta1 expression in liver biopsy specimens from 60 patients with chronic hepatitis C.