Development of IFNβ-1a versions with reduced immunogenicity and full in vitro biological activity for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

IFNβ (recombinant interferon Beta) has been widely used for the treatment of Multiple sclerosis for the last four decades. Despite the human origin of the IFNβ sequence, IFNβ is immunogenic, and unwanted immune responses in IFNβ-treated patients may compromise its efficacy and safety in the clinic. In this study, we applied the DeFT (De-immunization of Functional Therapeutics) approach to producing functional, de-immunized versions of IFNβ-1a.

Functional assessment and rehabilitation protocol in acute patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit and in the Medical Care Unit.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is characterized by different clinical pictures that may require prolonged hospitalization and produce disabilities challenging the recovery of previous independence.

Aim: The aim is to evaluate the impact of an early assisted rehabilitation program on the functional status of an acutely hospitalized population affected by COVID-19.

Design: Single-institution retrospective longitudinal study.

Disability after major abdominal surgery: determinants of recovery of walking ability in elderly patients.

Background: Increased life expectancy and improved surgical techniques have led to a sharp rise in healthcare resource consumption by older patients. In these patients early recovery of walking ability after abdominal surgery may shorten length of hospital stay and reduce overall healthcare costs, but it is important to understand what factors determine this recovery.

Aim: To assess preoperative and postoperative determinants of walking ability recovery after major abdominal surgery in older patients.

Changes in quality of life and functional capacity after lung transplantation: A single-center experience.

Lung transplantation (LT) increases the life expectancy of patients affected by end stage pulmonary disease; specifically, its ultimate aims are to improve survival and health related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of the present longitudinal study was to determine the HRQoL trajectory and changes in functional capacity from time of entry in the waiting list for LT to 2 year after LT. The study included sixty-nine outpatients enrolled in a single medical center when they entered the waiting list for LT and who subsequently received it.

Serologically silent, occult equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) infections in horses.

Molecular and serological techniques for Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) diagnosis were compared using samples from 59 clinically normal horses stabled on five farms in the Santa Fe Province of Argentina. Of these 26 (44.1%) were positive in official AGID tests and/or gp45/gp90-based ELISA.

Functional assessment and quality of life before and after pulmonary endoarterectomy.

Purpose: The study investigates Quality of Life (QOL) and correlation with functional status of patients affected by Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension who undergo Pulmonary Endoarterectomy.

Methods: We investigated with an observational design (before surgery, three and twelve months afterwards) the hemodynamic data (NYHA class, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, cardiac output and pulmonary vascular resistance), the functional status (using the 6-Minute Walk Test) and the QOL, using three questionnaires: Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). We report the results of forty-nine patients.

Oxygen saturation and heart rate monitoring during a single session of early rehabilitation after cardiac surgery.

Background: Early rehabilitation after cardiac surgery aims to prevent immobilization, to reduce the effects of surgery on the respiratory function and to facilitate the recovery of autonomy in the activities of daily living (ADL), after discharge. Nevertheless the optimal perioperative physical therapy care for patients undergoing cardiac surgery is not well established. Moreover, most of the studies monitored peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) during surgery or focused only on their recovery after rehabilitation and not on their pathways during a session of exercises.

Recovery of deambulation after cardiothoracic surgery: a single center experience.

Background: Surgical procedure and postoperative bed rest lead to musculoskeletal system alterations with a possibility of new walking dependence of patients who undergo cardiothoracic surgery, which is sometimes associated with prolonged hospitalization and increased health expenditure.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the postoperative motor disability in inpatients admitted to the cardiothoracic surgical ward, and the results of customized rehabilitation in terms of recovery of postural changes and walking capacity with respect to the preoperative condition and destination after discharge.

Design: A prospective observational study was conducted.

Hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis and rehabilitation in patients with complete facial palsy: cohort study of 30 patients followed up for three years.

Our study evaluates the grade and timing of recovery in 30 patients with complete facial paralysis (House-Brackmann grade VI) treated with hypoglossal-facial nerve (XII-VII) anastomosis and a long-term rehabilitation program, consisting of exercises in facial muscle activation mediated by tongue movement and synkinesis control with mirror feedback. Reinnervation after XII-VII anastomosis occurred in 29 patients, on average 5.4 months after surgery.

Early rehabilitative treatment in aortocoronary bypass surgery.

Aim: The objective of this retrospective study is to analyze functional recovery and response to rehabilitation treatment during the immediate postoperative phase of aortocoronary bypass (ACB) surgery.

Methods: We studied 319 patients, who had undergone ACB surgery and who needed post-acute rehabilitation.

Results: All patients presented post-operative respiratory dysfunction, 300 cases presented inability in position changes and needed neuromotor exercises in addition to chest physiotherapy.

Prevalence and incidence of scoliosis in Turner syndrome: a study in 49 girls followed-up for 4 years.

Background: Turner syndrome (TS) is a sex chromosome abnormality in females characterized by gonadal dysgenesis, short stature and skeletal malformations like kyphosis and scoliosis.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of scoliosis and its incidence over 4 year follow-up.

Design: Consists in two parts: cross sectional study and longitudinal study.

Return to work after thoracic organ transplantation in a clinically-stable population.

Purpose: To evaluate the rate of return to work after transplantation and its determinants in a clinically-stable population of patients transplanted and followed-up at a single institution in Italy.

Methods: 151 thoracic organ transplant recipients (72 lung, 79 heart) were examined. Patients were asked about daily activities, level of education, employment and clinical condition.

Pulmonary endarterectomy in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: short-term functional assessment in a longitudinal study.

Aim: Presently, the surgical treatment choice in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) consists in a pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). The aim of the present study is the functional assessment of patients submitted to PEA both preoperatively and shortly after the intervention. A longitudinal study was developed to study the quality and quantity of functional performance possible in these subjects.

Determinants of quality of life after lung transplant: an Italian collaborative study.

Background: With the improvement in survival rates after lung transplantation, concern has arisen about evaluating quality of life (QoL). This multicenter cross-sectional study aimed at describing QoL and identifying factors associated with it.

Methods: We assessed QoL in 129 lung transplant recipients from 5 centres in Italy, during scheduled follow-up visits, using the SF-36, GHQ and St George's respiratory questionnaires (SGRQ).