[Assessing the quality of life in patients with a vascular access].

Patients undergoing haemodialytic treatment have a lower quality of life than the general population because of several factors. Their wellbeing can be assessed through a clinical evaluation or through the subjective point of view of the patients themselves: the perceived Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an index calculated on the basis of the patients' own perspective. A well-functioning vascular access (VA) and the absence of complications are certainly associated with better health in patients on dialysis but unfortunately VA-related perceived HRQoL has so far been a subject of little interesting literature, even though the choice of the most appropriate access in the individual patient is today increasingly articulate and difficult.

[Clinical practice for the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias in patients on renal replacement therapy: data from a Lombard survey].

Among dialysis patients, 40% of deaths are due to cardiovascular causes, and 60% of cardiac deaths are due to an arrhythmia. The purpose of this survey, carried out with the organizational support of the Lombard Section of the Italian Society of Nephrology, is to evaluate the frequency and mode of use of non-invasive instruments for the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias in the dialysis centers of Lombardy. Information on the prevalence and type of cardiac devices at December 1, 2016 in this population was also required.

The burden of hypertension and kidney disease in Northeast India: the Institute for Indian Mother and Child noncommunicable diseases project.

Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease are the major cause of death not only in high income, but also in medium and low income countries. Hypertension and diabetes, the most common causes of chronic kidney disease, are particularly common in southeast Asian Countries. Because early intervention can markedly slow the progression of these two killer diseases, assessment of their presence through screening and intervention program is a priority.

Hypertension and kidney function in an adult population of West Bengal, India: role of body weight, waist circumference, proteinuria and rural area living.

Aim: Hypertension (HTN) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are important emerging problems in low-income countries, with an increasing number of patients dying from their consequences.

Methods: A project for investigating these issues was carried out in West Bengal, India, in 2536 adult subjects. Body mass index (BMI) was classified using traditional and new cut-offs identified by the World Health Organization for Asian populations.

Hypertension, prehypertension, and transient elevated blood pressure in children: association with weight excess and waist circumference.

Background: To assess the prevalence of hypertension (H), prehypertension (PH), and transient elevated blood pressure (TH) and their relationship with weight class and waist circumference (WC) in an unselected population of Northern Italian children.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 5,131 children (5-11 years). Weight class was defined according to the International Obesity Task Force references, H and PH according to the National High Blood Pressure Education Program.

Clinical evidence continuous medical education: a randomised educational trial of an open access e-learning program for transferring evidence-based information - ICEKUBE (Italian Clinical Evidence Knowledge Utilization Behaviour Evaluation) - study protocol.

Background: In an effort to ensure that all physicians have access to valid and reliable evidence on drug effectiveness, the Italian Drug Agency sponsored a free-access e-learning system, based on Clinical Evidence, called ECCE. Doctors have access to an electronic version and related clinical vignettes. Correct answers to the interactive vignettes provide Continuing Medical Education credits.

Explaining the oligomerization properties of the spindle assembly checkpoint protein Mad2.

Mad2 is an essential component of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), a molecular device designed to coordinate anaphase onset with the completion of chromosome attachment to the spindle. Capture of chromosome by microtubules occur on protein scaffolds known as kinetochores. The SAC proteins are recruited to kinetochores in prometaphase where they generate a signal that halts anaphase until all sister chromatid pairs are bipolarly oriented.

The Mad1/Mad2 complex as a template for Mad2 activation in the spindle assembly checkpoint.

Background: The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) imparts fidelity to chromosome segregation by delaying anaphase until all sister chromatid pairs have become bipolarly attached. Mad2 is a component of the SAC effector complex that sequesters Cdc20 to halt anaphase. In prometaphase, Mad2 is recruited to kinetochores with the help of Mad1, and it is activated to bind Cdc20.