Prevention of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized older patients with multi-morbidity and polypharmacy: the SENATOR* randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Multi-morbidity and polypharmacy increase the risk of non-trivial adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in older people during hospitalization. Despite this, there are no established interventions for hospital-acquired ADR prevention.

Methods: We undertook a pragmatic, multi-national, parallel arm prospective randomized open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) controlled trial enrolling patients at six European medical centres.

Effects of autonomic dysfunction on exercise tolerance in systemic sclerosis patients without clinical and instrumental evidence of cardiac and pulmonary involvement.

Objectives: Autonomic dysfunction (AD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) was already confirmed through heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a useful tool in early detection of exercise tolerance in SSc patients. Aim of the study was to assess the relationships existing between AD and exercise tolerance.

Early Markers of Cardiovascular Risk in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Background/aims: Cardiovascular disease is the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients, often before the onset of renal failure, and the pathogenetic mechanism is not yet well elucidated. The aim of the study was to identify early and noninvasive markers of cardiovascular risk in young ADPKD patients, in the early stages of disease.

Methods: A total of 26 patients with ADPKD and 24 control group, matched for age and sex, were enrolled, and we have assessed inflammatory indexes, mineral metabolism, metabolic state and markers of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction (carotid intima media thickness (IMT), ankle brachial index (ABI), flow mediated dilation (FMD), renal resistive index (RRI), left ventricular mass index (LVMI)) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), maximal O2 uptake (V'O2max), and O2 uptake at lactic acid threshold (V'O2@LT).

Cardiovascular dysfunction in untreated Parkinson's disease: A multi-modality assessment.

Background: The clinical presentation of Parkinson's disease (PD) includes a wide spectrum of non-motor features, including cardiovascular autonomic failure.

Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular autonomic status and cardiac functional capacity in drug-naïve PD patients.

Methods: 18 newly-diagnosed PD patients underwent laboratory cardiovascular autonomic function tests using power spectral analysis of the R-R interval, blood pressure (BP) short-term variability and non-invasive baroreflex sensitivity (BRS).

Impaired flow-mediated dilation in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is complicated by cardiovascular events as myocardial infarction and stroke but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. We hypothesized that endothelial dysfunction may be implicated and that endotoxemia may have a role.

Methods: Fifty patients with CAP and 50 controls were enrolled.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of hospital health-care workers regarding influenza A/H1N1: a cross sectional survey.

Background: To assess the knowledge, the attitudes, and the behaviour towards influenza A/H1N1 and the vaccination among health-care workers (HCWs).

Methods: A sample of HCWs was selected from a random sample of non-teaching public hospitals, located in the cities of Naples and Avellino (Italy), received a self-administered anonymous questionnaire including questions about socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge on modes of transmission and preventative measures, attitudes and behaviour relating to influenza A/H1N1.

Results: Only 36.

Effect of camptocormia on lung volumes in Parkinson's disease.

Camptocormia is defined as an abnormal flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 45°, or more, that typically increases during walking or standing and completely disappears in the supine position. Camptocormia may occur in patients with Parkinson's disease; when it does, it is usually associated with greater disease severity. Respiratory complications, which may be secondary to abnormal chest function, are one of the most frequent causes of death in patients with Parkinson's disease.

INDACO project: a pilot study on incidence of comorbidities in COPD patients referred to pneumology units.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is often associated with comorbidities, especially cardiovascular, that have a heavy burden in terms of hospitalization and mortality. Since no conclusive data exist on the prevalence and type of comorbidities in COPD patients in Italy, we planned the INDACO observational pilot study to evaluate the impact of comorbidities in patients referred to the outpatient wards of four major hospitals in Rome.

Methods: For each patient we recorded anthropometric and anamnestic data, smoking habits, respiratory function, GOLD (Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) severity stage, Body Mass Index (BMI), number of acute COPD exacerbations in previous years, presence and type of comorbidities, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

A simplified approach for the estimation of the ventilatory compensation point.

Unlabelled: Incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test with gas exchange measurement is the gold standard for the identification of the ventilatory compensation point (VCP). It has previously been demonstrated that the change in the slope of increment of minute ventilation over HR (ΔV˙E/ΔHR) can be used alternatively to the ventilatory equivalent for CO₂ (V˙E/V˙CO₂) method for detection of VCP in healthy subjects undergoing cycle ergometer (C) incremental exercise. The same evaluation during treadmill (T) incremental exercise and comparison between C and T have not yet been performed.

Healthcare workers and health care-associated infections: knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in emergency departments in Italy.

Background: This survey assessed knowledge, attitudes, and compliance regarding standard precautions about health care-associated infections (HAIs) and the associated determinants among healthcare workers (HCWs) in emergency departments in Italy.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire, self-administered by all HCWs in eight randomly selected non-academic acute general public hospitals, comprised questions on demographic and occupational characteristics; knowledge about the risks of acquiring and/or transmitting HAIs from/to a patient and standard precautions; attitudes toward guidelines and risk perceived of acquiring a HAI; practice of standard precautions; and sources of information.

Results: HCWs who know the risk of acquiring Hepatitis C (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from a patient were in practice from less years, worked fewer hours per week, knew that a HCW can transmit HCV and HIV to a patient, knew that HCV and HIV infections can be serious, and have received information from educational courses and scientific journals.

Public concerns and behaviours towards solid waste management in Italy.

A self-administered questionnaire investigated knowledge, perceptions of the risks to health associated with solid waste management, and practices about waste management in a random sample of 1181 adults in Italy. Perceived risk of developing cancer due to solid waste burning was significantly higher in females, younger, with an educational level lower than university and who believed that improper waste management is linked to cancer. Respondents who had visited a physician at least once in the last year for fear of contracting a disease due to the non-correct waste management had an educational level lower than university, have modified dietary habits for fear of contracting disease due to improper waste management, believe that improper waste management is linked to allergies, perceive a higher risk of contracting infectious disease due to improper waste management and have participated in education/information activities on waste management.

Paediatricians knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding immunizations for infants in Italy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether paediatricians have appropriate knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding vaccinations for infants in Italy.

Methods: A random sample of 500 paediatricians received a self-administered anonymous questionnaire covering demographic and professional characteristics; knowledge about the mandatory, recommended, and not indicated vaccinations for infants; attitudes about vaccinations for infants; behaviour regarding current administration or willingness to administer mandatory or recommended vaccinations for infants and immunization education programs of the parents.

Results: Only 42.

Efficacy of pneumococcal vaccination in children younger than 24 months: a meta-analysis.

Context: Pneumococcal conjugate bacterial vaccines that are able to prevent invasive disease and mucosal infections have been developed.

Objective: A meta-analysis of published data from trials on pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was performed to determine the efficacy in reducing the incidence of invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumonia, and acute otitis media in healthy infants younger than 24 months.

Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted.

Use of television, videogames, and computer among children and adolescents in Italy.

Background: This survey determined the practices about television (video inclusive), videogames, and computer use in children and adolescents in Italy.

Methods: A self-administered anonymous questionnaire covered socio-demographics; behaviour about television, videogames, computer, and sports; parental control over television, videogames, and computer.

Results: Overall, 54.

Characteristics of patients returning to emergency departments in Naples, Italy.

Background: Crowding in hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) is a problem in several countries. We evaluated the number and characteristics of patients who make repeated visits to the EDs in Naples, Italy.

Methods: All patients (> or = 16 years) who presented to the EDs of three randomly selected non-academic acute care public hospitals, within randomly selected week periods, were studied.

Knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices about colorectal cancer among adults in an area of Southern Italy.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer for both sexes in developed countries. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices regarding CRC of adults in Italy.

Methods: A random sample of 1165 adults received a self-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics; knowledge regarding definition, risk factors, and screening; attitudes regarding perceived risk of contracting CRC and utility of screening tests; health-related behaviors and health care use; source of information.

Appropriate tetanus prophylaxis practices in patients attending Emergency Departments in Italy.

Objective: This study evaluated the physician compliance with tetanus prophylaxis and immunization practices for patients with wounds attending Emergency Departments (EDs) of four randomly selected non-academic acute care public hospitals in Italy.

Methods: All presenting patients (> or = 16 years) within randomly selected week periods were studied. Physician and nurse, who were not involved in care, interviewed each patient regarding: socio-demographics, wound characteristics, and tetanus immunization history; they also collected, through direct observation, data of the physician practices for tetanus prophylaxis and immunization.

A survey of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards avian influenza in an adult population of Italy.

Background: Several public health strategic interventions are required for effective prevention and control of avian influenza (AI) and it is necessary to create a communication plan to keep families adequately informed on how to avoid or reduce exposure. This investigation determined the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors relating to AI among an adult population in Italy.

Methods: From December 2005 to February 2006 a random sample of 1020 adults received a questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of transmission and prevention about AI, attitudes towards AI, behaviors regarding use of preventive measures and food-handling practices, and sources of information about AI.

Patients' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior toward hospital-associated infections in Italy.

Background: Hospital-associated infections are associated with morbidity, extended hospital stay, mortality, and attributable costs to the health care sector.

Methods: A survey of 450 patients admitted to hospitals in Italy determined knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding hospital-associated infections. A face-to-face interview sought information about: patient's sociodemographic characteristics; hospital admissions and examinations; knowledge, understanding, attitudes, and experience of health care-associated infections; and sources for information.

Rapid identification of Candida species in oral rinse solutions by PCR.

Aims: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of a multiplex PCR assay for the contemporary identification of major species involved in oral candidiasis, without extraction and purification of DNA from the samples under investigation; and evaluation of this method in comparison with routine phenotypic culture identification.

Methods: 78 oral rinse solutions were collected. The concentrated oral rinse technique was used for a quantitative and qualitative study.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of avian influenza, poultry workers, Italy.

We asked Italian poultry workers about knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding avian influenza. It was perceived to be a low occupational hazard, and wearing protective equipment and handwashing were not routine practices. Knowledge of transmission and preventive measures should be improved.

A survey of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of Italian dentists toward immunization.

This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and compliance to immunization guidelines among dental health-care professionals in Italy. A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 1000 dentists on demographic and professional characteristics; knowledge regarding infectious diseases that can be acquired/transmitted by the dentist and the vaccinations recommended; attitudes regarding the vaccinations; self-assessed information about previous vaccinations. A total of 369 dentists responded.

Discovery and development of a new class of potent, selective, orally active oxytocin receptor antagonists.

We report a novel chemical class of potent oxytocin receptor antagonists showing a high degree of selectivity against the closely related vasopressin receptors (V1a, V1b, V2). An initial compound, 7, was shown to be active in an animal model of preterm labor when administered by the intravenous but not by the oral route. Stepwise SAR investigations around the different structural elements revealed one position, the arenesulfonyl moiety, to be amenable to structural changes.