Objective: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most represented cells of the immune system in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Besides its effects on cancer cells, radiation therapy (RT) can alter TME composition. With this systematic review, we provide a better understanding on how RT can regulate macrophage characterization, namely the M1 antitumor and the M2 protumor polarization, with the aim of describing new effective RT models and exploration of the possibility of integrating radiation with other available therapies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: People with substance or alcohol use disorders (SUDs/AUDs) are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection than the general population, but the evidence of COVID-19-related mortality in these patients is unclear.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to verify whether patients with AUD and SUD have a higher mortality rate for COVID-19-related mortality compared to the general population.
Method: We performed a follow-up study to assess mortality in 2020 in a cohort of patients diagnosed for the first time with AUDs or SUDs at the Public Health Services in the metropolitan area of Bologna (Northern Italy) from 2009 to 2019.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on the toxicity profile of patients treated with conservative surgery (CS) of the supraglottic (SG) region. Data on patients treated with CS and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT)-IMRT were prospectively collected. Results.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn localized prostate cancer clinicopathologic variables have been used to develop prognostic nomograms quantifying the probability of locally advanced disease, of pelvic lymph node and distant metastasis at diagnosis or the probability of recurrence after radical treatment of the primary tumor. These tools although essential in daily clinical practice for the management of such a heterogeneous disease, which can be cured with a wide spectrum of treatment strategies (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOnline education approach provides innovative opportunities for engaging youths. Web-based, multimedia smoking prevention programs have been tested in high-income countries; however, efficacy of such programs is not well-investigated in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience (ASPIRE), an interactive tobacco prevention curriculum, among university students in India.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: To examine mortality risk and causes of death in a cohort of a population of patients treated for gambling disorders in northern Italy from 1992 to 2019.
Methods: Cohort study.
Results: Half of the patients were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, substance use disorder or alcohol dependence.
Background: Haemoptysis is a challenging symptom that can be associated with potentially life-threatening medical conditions. Follow-up is key in these patients to promptly detect new or misdiagnosed pathologic findings. Few prospective studies have evaluated long-term prognostic outcomes in patients with haemoptysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: An alternative to surgery for penile cancer is radiation therapy which is administered with external beam techniques and/or brachytherapy (BT) either interstitial or using a surface applicator. Here we report our experience in penile cancer patients treated with high-dose-rate (HDR)-BT with the surface technique, analyzing dosimetric parameters and clinical outcomes.
Methods And Materials: Between June 2016 and December 2019, 7 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis received HDR-BT by means of customized applicators that were constructed using a 3D printer or thermoplastic mask.
Oral mucositis is an acute side effect of radiation therapy that is especially common with head and neck cancer treatment. In recent years, several studies have revealed the predisposing factors for mucositis, leading to the pre-treatment of patients to deter the development of opportunistic oral fungal infections. Although many clinical protocols already advise the use of probiotics to counteract inflammation and fungal colonization, preclinical studies are needed to better delineate the mechanisms by which a host may acquire benefits via co-evolution with oral microbiota, probiotics, and fungal commensals, such as , especially during acute inflammation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To adapt the management of prostate malignancy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: In according to the recommendations of the European Association of Urology, we have developed practical additional document on the treatment of prostate cancer.
Results: Low-Risk Group Watchful Waiting should be offered to patients >75 years old, with a limited life expectancy and unfit for local treatment.
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the mortality trends and causes of death in Northern Italy in a cohort of a population of individuals treated for alcohol use disorder (AUD) over a 38-year follow-up period (1978-2016).
Materials And Methods: 6,198 patients attending eighteen centres for addiction treatment (CATs) for AUD were recruited.
Results: During the follow-up period, 19.
The aim of this study was to examine mortality risk and causes of death for natives and non-natives in a cohort of heroin population of treated in Northern Italy. Crude Mortality Rates (CMRs) were 12.78 per 1,000 Person Years (PY), Standardized Mortality Rate (SMR) was 9.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Ketamine is an essential medicine used as an anesthetic in low and middle-income countries and in veterinary medicine. Recreational use is widespread throughout the world, especially owing to its lower price compared to other substances. In Western countries its use has been mainly linked to subpopulations of young people who use drugs recreationally.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Bronchoscopy plays a key role to diagnose the etiology, to localize the site, and to identify the sources of the bleeding in patients with hemoptysis, but the ideal timing of an endoscopic examination is still unclear.
Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of an observational and multicenter study, aimed at evaluating the epidemiology of hemoptysis in Italy and the diagnostic yield of the most frequently prescribed examinations. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether an early bronchoscopy (i.
Importance: Limited evidence supports mobile phone-delivered cessation interventions for socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals.
Objective: To assess the efficacy of mobile phone-delivered cessation interventions targeted to smokers at neighborhood sites serving racial/ethnic minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals.
Design, Setting, And Participants: This group-randomized clinical trial with neighborhood site serving as the sampling unit compared smoking cessation interventions that included (1) nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), (2) NRT plus text messaging, and (3) NRT plus text messaging plus proactive counseling via mobile phone.
Background: This study analyzes data related to Hospital (HOS), Public Treatment Service Dedicated to Drug Addicts (SERD), or Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) clients with a first diagnosis of Pathological Gambling (PG) in the period 2000/2016 in Northern Italy. The aims were to describe trends and characteristics of pathological gamblers (PGs) and to estimate the prevalence of other diagnoses before or after the diagnosis of PG.
Methods: Participants aged over 17 years with an ICD-9 or ICD-10 PG diagnosis were selected.
Background And Objectives: As a measure of nicotine dependence among adolescent smokers, the modified Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire (mFTQ; seven items), has been successfully used in the United States (USA). Nonetheless, the validity and reliability of mFTQ at the international level is still needed. The current study is the first to test the validity and reliability of mFTQ in four countries: Thailand, Spain, the USA, and Russia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealth Serv Res Manag Epidemiol
May 2017
Context: The American Academy of Pediatrics and professional guidelines recommend intervening with adolescents about avoiding tobacco use in the health-care setting. Barriers in the clinical setting limit consistent provision of this critical service.
Objectives: This pilot study compared 2 approaches for referring adolescents to an evidence-based tobacco prevention and cessation program in the outpatient setting.