Genetic Variants and Lifestyle Factors in Androgenetic Alopecia Patients: A Case-Control Study of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Their Contribution to Baldness Risk.

Unlabelled: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found to be associated with Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) to date, are characterized by an apparent reduced penetrance into the phenotype suggesting a role of other factors in the etiology of AGA.

Objective: We conducted a study to investigate the role of specific allelic variants in AGA controlling for nutritional and lifestyle factors.

Methods: Individual patterns of SNPs present in the baldness susceptibility locus at 20p11 (rs1160312 and rs6113491) or close to the androgen receptor (AR) gene in chromosome X (rs1041668) were investigated in 212 male subjects.

Implementing a group singing intervention for postpartum depression within the Italian health service.

Background: In the United Kingdom a singing intervention for Postpartum Depression (PPD) titled "Music and Motherhood" was found to be effective. The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe coordinated a study to assess the feasibility of implementing and adapting the intervention in other countries. In Italy, recent studies have highlighted the need to promote the availability of effective interventions for PPD in primary care.

Oral DHA supplementation and retinopathy of prematurity: the Joinville DHA Clinical Trial.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of blindness in premature infants. The condition is associated with DHA deficiency. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DHA supplementation on the occurrence of ROP in infants receiving oral oil drops.

The potential impact of dietary choices on melanoma risk: an anti-inflammatory diet.

The role of inflammation in the aetiology of cancer is recognized. However, no study yet examined the association between an anti-inflammatory diet and cutaneous melanoma and explored whether it could be modified by genetic variations in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a key enzyme in inflammation. A case-control study was conducted in the IDI-IRCCS hospital in Rome, Italy with 273 cases of primary cutaneous melanoma and 269 controls frequency matched to cases.

Perinatal mental health care in the Italian mental health departments: a national survey.

Background: Evidence on the negative outcomes of untreated mental disorders during pregnancy and in the first year after childbirth on women's and children's health has stimulated interest in how to develop and sustain high-quality mental health care during the perinatal period. In Italy, there is a lack of knowledge about how mental health services support women with perinatal mental disorders (PMDs). This study aims to describe the adoption of good practices for the prevention and care of PMDs by the Italian mental health departments (MHDs).

Waist circumference and blood pressure in Brazilian children.

Aim: We aimed to examine the association between waist circumference and blood pressure (BP) in children at 9 years of age.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 142 children enrolled in a cohort study conducted at the participants' homes in southern Brazil. SBP and DBP were measured using the auscultatory method.

Early inflammatory biomarkers and melanoma survival.

Background: Few studies have investigated the role of inflammatory markers in predicting cutaneous melanoma survival. The aim of the study was to identify, if any, early inflammatory markers in the prognosis of all stages of primary cutaneous melanoma.

Methods: We conducted a 10-year cohort study among 2,141 melanoma patients from the same geographic area (Lazio) with primary cutaneous melanoma diagnosed between January 2005 and December 2013.

Occupational exposure to arsenic, mercury and UV radiation and risk of melanoma: a case-control study from Italy.

Background: Melanoma is mainly caused by sunlight radiation, but other environmental risk factors are not well known. We investigated the association between cutaneous melanoma and occupational exposure to arsenic, mercury and UV radiation.

Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in the inpatient wards of IDI-San Carlo Rome, Italy, including 304 incident cases of cutaneous melanoma and 305 frequency-matched controls.

Quality of life in patients with early- and late-onset hidradenitis suppurativa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) usually has an early onset, however, also onset in the mid-40 s may occur. Recently, the threshold of 28 years to distinguish patients with early and late onset has been proposed. The objective of our study was to compare the quality of life (QoL) and psychological distress in early- and late-onset HS patients.

Circulating miR-1246 and miR-485-3p as Promising Biomarkers of Clinical Response and Outcome in Melanoma Patients Treated with Targeted Therapy.

Despite the significant improvements in advanced melanoma therapy, there is still a pressing need for biomarkers that can predict patient response and prognosis, and therefore support rational treatment decisions. Here, we investigated whether circulating miRNAs could be biomarkers of clinical outcomes in patients treated with targeted therapy. Using next-generation sequencing, we profiled plasma miRNAs at baseline and at progression in patients treated with BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) or BRAFi + MEKi.

Vitiligo-specific soluble biomarkers as early indicators of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic melanoma patients.

Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) strongly improved the outcome of metastatic melanoma patients. However, not all the patients respond to treatment and identification of prognostic biomarkers able to select responding patients is currently of outmost importance. Considering that development of vitiligo-like depigmentation in melanoma patients represents both an adverse event of CPIs and a favorable prognostic factor, we analyzed soluble biomarkers of vitiligo to validate them as early indicators of response to CPIs.

Predictors of excess body weight concurrently affecting mother-child pairs: a 6 year follow-up.

Background: We examined the predictors of excess body weight (EBW) concurrently affecting mother-child pairs after delivery during 6 years of follow-up.

Methods: Prospective cohort study conducted on 435 mother-child pairs. Data were collected at four time points: at birth in the maternity hospital; 1-2 years old, 4-5 years old and 6 years old at the participant's home.

Reduced Interleukin-17-Expressing Cells in Cutaneous Melanoma.

Characterization of tumor associated lymphocytes (TILs) in tumor lesions is important to obtain a clear definition of their prognostic value and address novel therapeutic opportunities. In this work, we examined the presence of T helper (Th)17 lymphocytes in cutaneous melanoma. We performed an immunohistochemical analysis of a small cohort of primary melanomas, retrospectively selected.

Factors associated with sunbed use among 3692 outpatients in 18 centers of the Italian Cancer League (LILT).

Indoor tanning is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. Nonetheless, its use is still widespread. We aimed to investigate the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of sunbed users in a group of participants in the skin cancer prevention campaign organized by the Italian Cancer League (LILT).

Sexuality in Persons With Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Factors Associated With Sexual Desire and Functioning Impairment.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disease involving intimate and sensitive areas and affecting physical and mental health. We investigated the prevalence of sexual desire and functioning impairment, and their associations with quality of life, anxiety, depression, minor psychiatric disorders (MPD), and clinical features (e.g.

Vitiligo-like leukoderma as an indicator of clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in late-stage melanoma patients.

Purpose: Although development of immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma, more than a half of treated patients experience disease progression during therapy. Cases of spontaneous vitiligo-like leukoderma have been described in melanoma patients and have been associated with a favorable outcome. This vitiligo-like leukoderma can also appear in melanoma patients undergoing immune therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Clinical Predictors of Response to Anti-PD-1 First-Line Treatment in a Single-Centre Patient Cohort: A Real-World Study.

Aims: Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most immunogenic tumours. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD-1 antibodies, has significantly improved the prognosis in metastatic melanoma. However, only half of the patients respond to this therapy and have a favourable outcome.