Tuning magnetoelectricity in a mixed-anisotropy antiferromagnet.

Control of magnetization and electric polarization is attractive in relation to tailoring materials for data storage and devices such as sensors or antennae. In magnetoelectric materials, these degrees of freedom are closely coupled, allowing polarization to be controlled by a magnetic field, and magnetization by an electric field, but the magnitude of the effect remains a challenge in the case of single-phase magnetoelectrics for applications. We demonstrate that the magnetoelectric properties of the mixed-anisotropy antiferromagnet LiNiFePO are profoundly affected by partial substitution of Ni ions with Fe on the transition metal site.

Do patients' and referral centers' characteristics influence multiple sclerosis phenotypes? Results from the Italian multiple sclerosis and related disorders register.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by phenotypical heterogeneity, partly resulting from demographic and environmental risk factors. Socio-economic factors and the characteristics of local MS facilities might also play a part.

Methods: This study included patients with a confirmed MS diagnosis enrolled in the Italian MS and Related Disorders Register in 2000-2021.

Incident Colorectal Cancer in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) risk is increased in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and surveillance needs to be tailored according to individual risk. The open issues include the role of the characteristics of IBD and CRC in determining the long-term outcome. These issues were assessed in our multicenter study, including a cohort of 56 IBD patients with incident CRC.

Increasing prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Tuscany, Italy.

Background And Rationale: An increase of prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported in several countries, especially taking into account a long-term evaluation. This increasing trend often reflects improved case identification and ascertainment due to the refinement of diagnostic criteria. The aim of this study was to update the prevalence rate of MS in Tuscany (central Italy) as of 2017, and to assess if there has been an increasing trend of prevalence in this Region considering a short period of analysis, from 2014 to 2017.

Effects of combined training on neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in patients with cognitive decline.

Background And Aims: Cognitive impairments associated with aging and dementia are major sources of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPs) and deterioration in quality of life (QoL). Preventive measures to both reduce disease and improve QoL in those affected are increasingly targeting individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at early disease stage. However, NPs and QoL outcomes are too commonly overlooked in intervention trials.

Complications and early mortality in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement in lombardy: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the most common endoscopic procedure used to provide nutritional support.

Aim: To prospectively evaluate the mortality and complication incidences after PEG insertion or replacement.

Methods: All patients who underwent PEG insertion or replacement were included.

Multiple sclerosis incidence in Tuscany from administrative data.

Background: Italy is a high-risk area for multiple sclerosis with 110,000 prevalent cases estimated at January 2016 and 3400 annual incident cases. To study multiple sclerosis epidemiology, it is preferable to use population-based studies, e.g.

Multiple sclerosis spatial cluster in Tuscany.

Tuscany (Central Italy) is a high-risk area for multiple sclerosis (MS) with a prevalence of 188 cases per 100,000 at 2011, and it is characterized by a heterogeneous geographic distribution of this disease. Our objective was to update prevalence at 2013 and to evaluate the presence of spatial clusters in Tuscany. The MS prevalence was evaluated on 31 December 2013 using a validated case-finding algorithm, based on administrative data.

The use of oral corticosteroids in inflammatory bowel diseases in Italy: An IG-IBD survey.

Aim: To evaluate how Italian gastroenterologists use corticosteroids in clinical practice for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Material And Methods: All members of the Italian Group for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IG-IBD) were invited to fill in a web-based questionnaire.

Results: 131/448 (29.

Safety of treatments for inflammatory bowel disease: Clinical practice guidelines of the Italian Group for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IG-IBD).

Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic conditions of unknown etiology, showing a growing incidence and prevalence in several countries, including Italy. Although the etiology of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is unknown, due to the current knowledge regarding their pathogenesis, effective treatment strategies have been developed. Several guidelines are available regarding the efficacy and safety of available drug treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases.

The problem of adherence to therapy in ulcerative colitis and the potential utility of multi-matrix system (MMX) technology.

Ulcerative colitis (uc) is a chronic condition and for the vast majority of patients, life-long treatment is required. low adherence to therapy is an emerging issue. since low adherence is associated with poor clinical outcomes and increased costs, it is becoming crucial to identify strategies in order to improve it.

Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Tuscany (Central Italy): A Study Based on Validated Administrative Data.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) epidemiology in Italy is mainly based on population-based prevalence studies. Administrative data are an additional source of information, when available, in prevalence studies of chronic diseases such as MS. The aim of our study is to update the prevalence rate of MS in Tuscany (central Italy) as at 2011 using a validated case-finding algorithm based on administrative data.

How thiopurines are used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: an Italian survey.

Background: The ideal manner of thiopurine use in inflammatory bowel disease has not been defined. We aimed at investigating the attitudes of Italian gastroenterologists on thiopurine use.

Methods: A web-based survey was performed among 295 gastroenterologists.

Low bioavailability steroids in inflammatory bowel disease: an old chestnut or a whole new ballgame?

At present, therapy of inflammatory bowel disease is still far from being fully satisfactory; old drugs like steroids, for instance, still represent a cornerstone in the treatment of active disease despite their associated important side effects and incomplete clinical efficacy. In the last years, new therapeutic strategies have been suggested in order to avoid or at least limit steroids use and in this direction the so-called low bioavailability steroids appeared to be a promising therapeutic weapon; however, some grey areas about their real utility and manner of use still remain. The aim of this review is to evaluate the available evidence about the use of oral budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate in inflammatory bowel disease, to critically assess their current position in the therapeutic algorithm of these diseases and to give simple and practical indications for their use in every-day clinical practice.

Infliximab three-dose induction regimen in severe corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis: early and late outcome and predictors of colectomy.

Background: Infliximab is effective as rescue therapy in severe corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis. The optimal dose regimen and the long term benefits are not well defined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate short- and long-term colectomy rate in a cohort of patients with severe corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis who received a three-dose infliximab induction regimen.

Unsedated colonoscopy: an option for some but not for all.

Background: The increasing request for colonoscopy in clinical practice, coupled with the lack of time, has led to a renewed interest in unsedated procedures.

Objective: To evaluate the acceptability of unsedated colonoscopy and to characterize the subset of patients more likely to undergo and complete the procedure without sedation and/or analgesia.

Design: Prospective, population study.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation with an intermediate intensity conditioning regimen in multiple sclerosis: the Italian multi-centre experience.

Background: Over recent years numerous patients with severe forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) refractory to conventional therapies have been treated with intense immunosuppression followed by autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT). The clinical outcome and the toxicity of AHSCT can be diverse, depending on the various types of conditioning protocols and on the disease phase.

Objectives: To report the Italian experience on all the consecutive patients with MS treated with AHSCT with an intermediate intensity conditioning regimen, named BEAM/ATG, in the period from 1996 to 2008.

The use of methotrexate for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in clinical practice.

Background: Methotrexate is considered a treatment for Crohn's disease, whilst few data in ulcerative colitis are available.

Aim: To evaluate frequency, indications, efficacy and safety of methotrexate in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Methods: 5420 case histories were reviewed.

Prognostic significance of endoscopic remission in patients with active ulcerative colitis treated with oral and topical mesalazine: a prospective, multicenter study.

Background: It has been recommended that the treatment of active ulcerative colitis (UC) should be continued until complete healing of endoscopic lesions. However, the evidence supporting this recommendation is scanty. Aims of the present study were to assess the rate of patients with active UC who achieve clinical but not endoscopic remission after treatment with oral plus topical mesalazine and to compare the rate of relapse in patients with clinical/endoscopic remission and those with only clinical remission.

Management of warfarin-associated coagulopathy in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding: a cross-sectional physician survey of current practice.

Background: The management of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) associated coagulopathy is a cornerstone of pre-endoscopic assessment of anticoagulated patients presenting with acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Aims: To evaluate physician attitudes in the management of VKAs-associated coagulopathy in patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding and to assess their compliance to current practice guidelines.

Design: Cross sectional physician web-based survey amongst regional members of three Italian Gastroenterological Societies (AIGO, SIED, SIGE) practicing in academic medical centres or community hospitals.

Cancer in Crohn's Disease patients treated with infliximab: a long-term multicenter matched pair study.

Background: The long-term risk of neoplasia in Crohn's disease (CD) patients treated with infliximab is undefined. The aim was to assess, in a multicenter, matched-pair study, whether infliximab use in CD is associated with an increased frequency of neoplasia in the long term.

Methods: A multicenter, long-term, matched-pair study was conducted in 12 referral inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) centers.