Circulating pre-treatment Epstein-Barr virus DNA as prognostic factor in locally-advanced nasopharyngeal cancer in a non-endemic area.

The prognostic value of pre-treatment Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) DNA viral load for non-endemic, locally-advanced, EBV-related nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients is yet to be defined. All patients with EBV encoded RNA (EBER)-positive NPC treated at our Institution from 2005 to 2014 with chemotherapy (CT) concurrent with radiation (RT) +/- induction chemotherapy (ICT) were retrospectively reviewed. Pre-treatment baseline plasma EBV DNA (b-EBV DNA) viral load was detected and quantified by PCR.

Personalized support for chronic conditions. A novel approach for enhancing self-management and improving lifestyle.

Objective: Solutions for improving management of chronic conditions are under the attention of healthcare systems, due to the increasing prevalence caused by demographic change and better survival, and the relevant impact on healthcare expenditures. The objective of this study was to propose a comprehensive architecture of a mHealth system aimed at boosting the active and informed participation of patients in their care process, while at the same time overcoming the current technical and psychological/clinical issues highlighted by the existing literature.

Methods: After having studied the current challenges outlined in the literature, both in terms of technological and human requirements, we focused our attention on some specific psychological aspects with a view to providing patients with a comprehensive and personalized solution.

Domains of Health IT and Tailoring of Evaluation: Practicing Process Modeling for Multi-Stakeholder Benefits.

This contribution focuses on the heterogeneity and complexity of health information technology services and systems in a multi-stakeholder environment. We propose the perspective of process modeling as a method to break out complexity, represent heterogeneity, and provide tailored evaluation and optimization of health IT systems and services. Two case studies are presented to show how process modeling is needed to fully understand the information flow, thus identifying requirements and specifications for information system re-engineering and interoperability; detect process weaknesses thus designing corrective measures; define metrics as a mean to evaluate and ensure system quality; and optimize the use of resources.