Primary membranous nephropathy in the Italian region of Emilia Romagna: results of a multicenter study with extended follow-up.

Background: Since primary membranous nephropathy is a heterogeneous disease with variable outcomes and multiple possible therapeutic approaches, all 13 Nephrology Units of the Italian region Emilia Romagna decided to analyze their experience in the management of this challenging glomerular disease.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 205 consecutive adult patients affected by biopsy-proven primary membranous nephropathy, recruited from January 2010 through December 2017. The primary outcome was patient and renal survival.

Gametocyte-specific and all-blood-stage transmission-blocking chemotypes discovered from high throughput screening on Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes.

Blocking Plasmodium falciparum human-to-mosquito transmission is essential for malaria elimination, nonetheless drugs killing the pathogenic asexual stages are generally inactive on the parasite transmissible stages, the gametocytes. Due to technical and biological limitations in high throughput screening of non-proliferative stages, the search for gametocyte-killing molecules so far tested one tenth the number of compounds screened on asexual stages. Here we overcome these limitations and rapidly screened around 120,000 compounds, using not purified, bioluminescent mature gametocytes.

Optimization of 2-(1H-imidazo-2-yl)piperazines series of Trypanosoma brucei growth inhibitors as potential treatment for the second stage of HAT.

A previous publication from our laboratory reported the identification of a new class of 2-(1H-imidazo-2-yl)piperazines as potent T. brucei growth inhibitors as potential treatment for Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). This work describes the structure-activity relationship (SAR) around the hit compound 1, which led to the identification of the optimized compound 18, a single digit nanomolar inhibitor (EC 7 nM), not cytotoxic and with optimal in vivo profile that made it a suitable candidate for efficacy studies in a mouse model mimicking the second stage of disease.

A Bayesian approach to discrete multiple outcome network meta-analysis.

In this paper we suggest a new Bayesian approach to network meta-analysis for the case of discrete multiple outcomes. The joint distribution of the discrete outcomes is modeled through a Gaussian copula with binomial marginals. The remaining elements of the hierarchial random effects model are specified in a standard way, with the logit of the success probabilities given by the sum of a baseline log-odds and random effects comparing the log-odds of each treatment against the reference and having a Gaussian distribution centered at the vector of pooled effects.

[Minimal change disease during lithium therapy: case report].

Lithium is a largely used and effective therapy in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Its toxic effects on kidneys are mostly diabetes insipidus, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and tubulointerstitial nephritis. Also, a correlation between lithium and minimal change disease has sometimes been described.

Discovery of 2-(1H-imidazo-2-yl)piperazines as a new class of potent and non-cytotoxic inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei growth in vitro.

The identification of a new series of growth inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), is described. A selection of compounds from our in-house compound collection was screened in vitro against the parasite leading to the identification of compounds with nanomolar inhibition of T. brucei growth.

[Minimal Change Relapse During Pregnancy].

The appearance of nephrotic syndrome during pregnancy is considered an exceptional event, whose incidence is around 0.012-0.025% of all pregnancies, and it is even more rare when the cause is represented by minimal lesions glomerulonephritis.

Peptidomimetic nitrile inhibitors of malarial protease falcipain-2 with high selectivity against human cathepsins.

Falcipain-2 (FP2) is an essential enzyme in the lifecycle of malaria parasites such as Plasmodium falciparum, and its inhibition is viewed as an attractive mechanism of action for new anti-malarial agents. Selective inhibition of FP2 with respect to a family of human cysteine proteases (that include cathepsins B, K, L and S) is likely to be required for the development of agents targeting FP2. Here we describe a series of P2-modified aminonitrile based inhibitors of FP2 that provide a clear strategy toward addressing selectivity for the P.

Rates of insufficiency and deficiency of vitamin D levels in elite professional male and female skiers: A chronobiologic approach.

Vitamin D is essential for the maintenance and promotion of musculoskeletal health, for the functioning of the immune, cardiovascular and reproductive systems, and its main action is to keep calcium and phosphate plasmatic physiological concentrations at intestinal, renal and bony level. Vitamin D affects several parameters related to physical performance too and a particularly high percentage of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in professional athletes has been observed. Several variables are able to impair the synthesis of 25(OH)D in athletes, specifically both genetic and environmental factors, but the most probable explanation for the deficient/insufficient vitamin D levels is the insufficient ultraviolet B light (UVB) exposure during winter.

The Experience of Genetic Counselors Working with Patients Facing the Decision of Pregnancy Termination after 24 Weeks Gestation.

Prenatal genetic counselors are health care professionals who counsel women making reproductive decisions which include decisions such as terminating pregnancies due to fetal anomalies. Little is known about the experiences and practices of prenatal genetic counselors working with women who have the option of termination after 24 weeks gestation. In this national survey of 168 genetic counselors who have practiced prenatal genetic counseling, we asked about their general practice patterns, including indications for which termination is offered and types of abortion care services that are coordinated by genetic counselors.

[Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome related to Oxalyplatin Cancer Chemotherapy responsive to Eculizumab].

We describe the case of a patient with adenocarcinoma of the colon treated with FOLFOX-4 (5-Fluorouracil, Folinic acid, Oxalyplatin), with subsequent appearance of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). From 1999 to 2009, 13 cases of atypical HUS receiving chemotherapy with oxaliplatin have been described, as well as some sporadic cases. None of these cases has been treated with eculizumab.

Changes in muscle damage, inflammation, and fatigue-related parameters in young elite soccer players after a match.

Background: Professional soccer players are subjected to substantial physical loads during competitive seasons. We aimed to explore the changes induced by a soccer match on muscle damage and inflammation biomarkers, and their relationship with fatigue parameters.

Methods: Twenty young male professional in-field soccer players from an Italian Serie A team (age 17-20 years, weight 73.

Discovery of a Selective Series of Inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum HDACs.

The identification of a new series of P. falciparum growth inhibitors is described. Starting from a series of known human class I HDAC inhibitors a SAR exploration based on growth inhibitory activity in parasite and human cells-based assays led to the identification of compounds with submicromolar inhibition of P.

Variations and Determinants of Mortality and Length of Stay of Very Low Birth Weight and Very Low for Gestational Age Infants in Seven European Countries.

The EuroHOPE very low birth weight and very low for gestational age infants study aimed to measure and explain variation in mortality and length of stay (LoS) in the populations of seven European nations (Finland, Hungary, Italy (only the province of Rome), the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland and Sweden). Data were linked from birth, hospital discharge and mortality registries. For each infant basic clinical and demographic information, infant mortality and LoS at 1 year were retrieved.

A possible relationship between renal impairment and complications development in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective, observational study in Italy.

Background: We investigated the relationship between complications development and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), in a cohort of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) outpatients.

Methods: This observational study considered 1284 T2DM outpatients, who had been followed-up for 4.5 ± 1.

Depersonalization: An exploratory factor analysis of the Italian version of the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale.

Background: "Depersonalization" (DP) is a common symptom in the general population and psychiatric patients (Michal et al., 2011 [1]). DP is characterized by an alteration in the experience of the self, so that one feels detached from his or her own mental processes or body (or from the world), feeling as being an outside observer of his or her own self, and loosing the experience of unity and identity (American Psychiatric Association, 2013 [2]).

All-cause mortality and estimated renal function in type 2 diabetes mellitus outpatients: Is there a relationship with the equation used?

Background: We investigated the relationship between serum creatinine (SCr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), evaluated by different formulae, and all-cause mortality (ACM) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) outpatients.

Methods: This observational cohort study considered 1365 T2DM outpatients, who had been followed up for a period of up to 11 years. eGFR was estimated using several equations.

Bayesian nonparametric estimation of targeted agent effects on biomarker change to predict clinical outcome.

The effect of a targeted agent on a cancer patient's clinical outcome putatively is mediated through the agent's effect on one or more early biological events. This is motivated by pre-clinical experiments with cells or animals that identify such events, represented by binary or quantitative biomarkers. When evaluating targeted agents in humans, central questions are whether the distribution of a targeted biomarker changes following treatment, the nature and magnitude of this change, and whether it is associated with clinical outcome.

Stochastic population forecasting based on combinations of expert evaluations within the Bayesian paradigm.

This article suggests a procedure to derive stochastic population forecasts adopting an expert-based approach. As in previous work by Billari et al. (2012), experts are required to provide evaluations, in the form of conditional and unconditional scenarios, on summary indicators of the demographic components determining the population evolution: that is, fertility, mortality, and migration.

Autoimmune pancreatitis: multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance (MR) findings in the Italian experience.

Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are currently the most frequently performed imaging modalities for the study of pancreatic disease. In cases of suspected autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), a dynamic quadriphasic (precontrast, contrast-enhanced pancreatic, venous and late phases) study is recommended in both techniques. In the diffuse form of autoimmune pancreatitis (DAIP), the pancreatic parenchyma shows diffuse enlargement and appears, during the MDCT and MR contrast-enhanced pancreatic phase, diffusely hypodense and hypointense, respectively, compared to the spleen because of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and pancreatic fibrosis.

Bone-muscle unit activity, salivary steroid hormones profile, and physical effort over a 3-week stage race.

Muscle traction and bone metabolism are functionally linked and co-regulated by a series of factors. Although a role for steroid hormones was hypothesized, a clear definition of the bone-muscle interconnection still lacks. To investigate this relationship, we studied bone metabolism, muscle activity, and salivary steroid hormones profile in relation with the physical effort across a cycling stage race, a model of effort in absence of load.

Spectrum of magnetic resonance imaging findings in pancreatic and other abdominal manifestations of Von Hippel-Lindau disease in a series of 23 patients: a pictorial review.

Context: Von Hippel Lindau disease is a rare autosomal dominantly inherited multisystem disorder characterized by development of benign and malignant tumors. The abdominal manifestation of the syndrome are protean. Magnetic resonance plays an important role in identification of abdominal abnormalities and follow-up of lesions.

Non-hyperfunctioning neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreas: MR imaging appearance and correlation with their biological behaviour.

Objective: To describe MR imaging features of non-hyperfunctioning neuroendocrine pancreatic tumours by comparing them to histopathology and to determine the accuracy of MR imaging in predicting biological behaviour.

Materials And Methods: After institutional review board approval, we retrospectively reviewed 45 patients with pathologically proven NF-NET of the pancreas and ≥1 preoperative MR/MRCP examinations. Of the NF-NETS, 29/45 (64.

Reciprocal regulation of calcium-/phosphate-regulating hormones in cyclists during the Giro d'Italia 3-week stage race.

Calcium and phosphate are essential for cell functions, and their serum concentrations result from the balance between intestinal absorption, bony storage, and urinary excretion. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), expressed by osteocytes and osteoblasts, acts in the kidney, leading to hypophosphatemia and low 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol synthesis, but suppresses parathyroid function. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of a high-energy demanding cycling race on this bone-kidney-parathyroid axis.

Bull's-eye pattern of pancreatic-duct stones on multidetector computed tomography and gene-mutation-associated pancreatitis (GMAP).

Purpose: This study prospectively assessed whether the presence of a bull's-eye pattern of pancreatic-duct stones on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) correlated with gene-mutation-associated pancreatitis (GMAP) and whether other signs suggestive of GMAP can be detected with MDCT.

Materials And Methods: Forty-seven patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis underwent genetic testing for CFTR, SPINK1 and PRSS1 mutations and an MDCT scan of the abdomen. Qualitative analysis assessed the presence or absence of pancreatic-duct stones with bull's-eye appearance.