Multicenter Study on Sleep and Circadian Alterations as Objective Markers of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease Reveals Sex Differences.

Background: Circadian and sleep disturbances are associated with increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Wearable activity trackers could provide a new approach in diagnosis and prevention.

Objective: To evaluate sleep and circadian rhythm parameters, through wearable activity trackers, in MCI and AD patients as compared to controls, focusing on sex dissimilarities.

Docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine combination chemotherapy for metastatic gastric cancer.

Background: The incorporation of docetaxel into the cisplatin and fluorouracil backbone has been demonstrated to be an active combination in metastatic gastric cancer. Nevertheless, this regimen is burdened by nonnegligible toxicity. We hypothesized that replacing cisplatin and fluorouracil with oxaliplatin and capecitabine should be an active and safe option for metastatic gastric cancer patients.

Gemcitabine-oxaliplatin (GEMOX) as salvage treatment in pretreated epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

Background: Currently, no clearly superior management strategy exists for recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. We tested the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine combined with oxaliplatin (GEMOX) in a multicentre phase II clinical trial.

Methods: Forty one patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer were enrolled.

Unusual features of central nervous system involvement in CMTX associated with a novel mutation of GJB1 gene.

In this study, we report a novel connexin 32 (CX32) mutation associated with cognitive impairment and a differential degree of peripheral nerve involvement. We present clinical, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging data on a family with X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease caused by a 41A>G mutation of the gap junction protein beta 1 (GJB1) gene. The proband and her sister presented with a severe neuropathy with subclinical cognitive impairment; the proband's brother showed severe cognitive impairment and a mild neuropathy.

Impairment of sensory-motor plasticity in mild Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Primary motor cortex (M1) is relatively spared in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective: Aim of the present study was to investigate whether abnormal M1 synaptic plasticity is present at an early stage of AD. We employed an electrophysiological protocol, named rapid paired associative stimulation (rPAS), involving repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) paired with electrical stimulation of the contralateral median nerve, that modifies corticospinal excitability and short latency afferent inhibition (SAI).

Phase II study of epirubicin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel combination in metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

Background: This phase II study was designed to evaluate the activity and safety of a combination of epirubicin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel in metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Forty patients with measurable distant metastases received epirubicin 50 mg/m2, docetaxel 60 mg/m2 followed by oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Primary end point was response rates (RR).

No association between CYP2D6 polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease in an Italian population.

Allelic variation at the CYP2D6 gene has been suggested to be associated with CNS disorders, including Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. In order to elucidate whether a relationship exists between CYP2D6 polymorphism and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), CYP2D6 allele and genotype frequencies have been evaluated in 94 patients from Southern Italy (29 men and 65 women, aged 74+/-8 years) with AD, and in 350 healthy controls (204 men, 146 women, aged 33+/-9 years) from the same geographical region. Allele frequencies among AD patients were not significantly different from those in healthy controls.