206 results match your criteria: ""Gabriele d'Annunzio" University of Chieti[Affiliation]"

Background: This study aimed to explore behaviour of practitioners in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, analysing the factors that influenced their decisions to resume professional practice post-lockdown and intention to adhere to COVID-19 protective measures.

Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey targeting Italian practitioners was carried out to study the post lockdown behaviour and future intention to provide new contact lens (CL) fittings, and the use of protective measures. The survey also explored the dimensions of the Integrated Behavioural Model (IBM) and the Health Belief Model (HBM) to predict the intention to resume professional practice and to comply with protective measures respectively.

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Purpose: This study aimed to assess hydration status before and after training using the bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) method.

Design: Pre-post quasi-experimental designs.

Method: Twenty-four young water polo players (mean age: 13.

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Purpose: To quantitatively explore preretinal abnormal tissue (PAT) in macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) before and after surgery.

Methods: In this case-series study, PAT was detected by en-face optical coherence tomography images with custom slabs in eyes that underwent pars plana vitrectomy and SF6 for macula-on RRD.Main outcome measures were PAT area at baseline, 3-month and 6-month follow-up, and its relative change.

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Introduction: The introduction of multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has revolutionized prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis, enhancing the localization of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) and guiding targeted biopsies. However, significant disparities in the execution, interpretation, and reporting of prostate MRI examinations across centers necessitate greater standardization and accuracy. This study compares the diagnostic efficacy of mpMRI from academic and nonacademic centers in detecting csPCa and identifies factors associated with csPCa detection.

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When neuromodulation met control theory.

J Neural Eng

December 2024

Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Universita degli Studi Gabriele d'Annunzio Chieti e Pescara, Via dei Vestini 33, Chieti Scalo, CH, 66013, ITALY.

The brain is a highly complex physical system made of assemblies of neurons that work together to accomplish elaborate tasks such as motor control, memory and perception. How these parts work together has been studied for decades by neuroscientists using neuroimaging, psychological manipulations, and neurostimulation. Neurostimulation has gained particular interest, given the possibility to perturb the brain and elicit a specific response.

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Patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) have a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, from incidental findings to sudden cardiac death. Management and treatment recommendations in currently available guidelines vary according to patient risk and haemodynamic profile. A clot-in-transit (CiT) in the right heart chambers may be occasionally identified and is, therefore, an under-recognised but challenging condition, often preceding an abrupt clinical deterioration, and associated with increased mortality.

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Aim: To propose a standardized, high-resolution ultrasound (US) protocol to assess the patellar tendon-Hoffa fat pad interface (PTHFPI) in patients with (proximal) patellar tendinopathy (PPT).

Methods: Using a high-frequency transducer and a high-level machine, we matched the cadaveric and histological microarchitecture of the PTHFPI with multiple sonographic patterns of patients with PPT. Likewise, high-sensitive color/power Doppler assessments were also performed to evaluate the microcirculation of the soft tissues beneath the patellar tendon.

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Article Synopsis
  • GHRH was discovered over 40 years ago and plays a key role in stimulating growth hormone production in the pituitary gland, but its functions have expanded to include various biological activities.
  • Research indicates that GHRH and its analogues can influence multiple health issues, such as cell growth, immune functions, mood disorders, and several diseases, including diabetes and cancer.
  • The promising results from laboratory studies suggest that GHRH agonists and antagonists could be developed into effective clinical treatments for various medical conditions.
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The management of high flow arteriovenous fistula and possible solutions.

J Vasc Access

October 2024

AUSL Pescara, Interventional Nephrology Unit, Via Fonte Romana, Pescara, Italy.

Background: The development of a high flow rate arteriovenous fistula (AVF) can expose the patient to development of heart failure due to increased cardiac preload and pulmonary hypertension.

Objectives: AVF flow measurement (Qa) is considered a screening tool for AVF surveillance, aiming to evaluate the access dysfunction and prevent complications, like a non-maturation, suspected stenosis, high-flow AVF, and distal ischemia. In the upper arm AVF, a high Qa may develops, which can expose the patient to the risk of high-output heart failure and ischemia.

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Article Synopsis
  • The ESICM Green Paper addresses the importance of environmental sustainability in intensive care units (ICUs) and proposes actionable strategies to reduce their ecological impact.
  • A task force of experts assessed key areas for improvement and refined their strategies through a series of meetings and drafts.
  • The paper emphasizes the need for energy efficiency, waste reduction, and education among healthcare professionals to ensure that high-quality patient care and sustainability go hand in hand.
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Article Synopsis
  • Researchers believe that lung ultrasound scores (LUS) can better predict cardiac risks in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery, compared to existing methods like the Revised Cardiac Risk Index and ASA Physical Status.
  • The study involved 877 patients across 11 Italian hospitals, finding a significant correlation between higher LUS scores and complications, with a notable incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
  • Results showed that a preoperative LUS score of 8 or higher was more effective at predicting MACE than traditional scoring methods, indicating its potential as a valuable tool for risk assessment in this patient population.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study examined the effectiveness of using intermittent direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) based on real-time heart rhythm monitoring in high-bleeding risk patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
  • Conducted over three years in eight Italian centers, the study involved 240 patients, where those without AF episodes 30 days after PCI could stop DOACs, while those with significant AF episodes would resume treatment for 30 days.
  • Results showed a significant reduction in the duration of anticoagulation for the intermittent group, with a 40-46% decrease compared to continuous treatment, while bleeding and ischemic events did not differ significantly between groups.
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Background: The colorectal adenoma undergoes neoplastic progression via the normal epithelium-adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence as reported in the Vogelgram. The hazard of developing a tumor is deeply associated with the number and size of adenomas and their subtype. Adenomatous polyps are histologically categorized as follows: approximately 80-90% are tubular, 5-15% are villous, and 5-10% are tubular/villous.

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Profiling vaccine hesitancy in nursing to tailor public healthcare policies: A cross-sectional international study.

J Nurs Scholarsh

August 2024

Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Introduction: Vaccine hesitancy is a complex issue of global concern. As nurses play a vital role in delivering patient care and shaping public opinions on vaccines, interventions to address vaccine hesitancy in nursing are imperative. As such, identifying profiles of characteristics and attitudes contributing to hesitancy may help identify specific areas of focus to target tailored global vaccination uptake campaigns.

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Optimizing Management of Stable Angina: A Patient-Centered Approach Integrating Revascularization, Medical Therapy, and Lifestyle Interventions.

J Am Coll Cardiol

August 2024

Department of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; Center of Excellence of Cardiovascular Sciences, Ospedale Isola Tiberina-Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.

Article Synopsis
  • * Treatment for obstructive CAD focuses on reducing heart events and symptoms, while INOCA requires addressing functional changes in coronary circulation.
  • * A precise diagnosis in patients with INOCA is vital for personalized treatment, and the paper emphasizes combining coronary revascularization, medication, and lifestyle changes for effective angina management.
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Background: The consensus in scientific literature is that each child undergoes a unique linguistic development path, albeit with shared developmental stages. Some children excel or lag behind their peers in language skills. Consequently, a key challenge in language acquisition research is pinpointing factors influencing individual differences in language development.

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Insertional Achilles tendinopathy is an umbrella medical term referring to pain and swelling on the posterior aspect of the calcaneus. High-resolution ultrasound imaging is commonly used in daily practice to assess the pathological changes of the Achilles tendon, cortical bone of the calcaneus, and soft tissues located inside the retrocalcaneal space to optimize the management of relevant patients. To the best of our knowledge, a standardized ultrasound protocol to evaluate the retrocalcaneal bursal complex is lacking in the pertinent literature.

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Recruitment-to-inflation ratio to assess response to PEEP during laparoscopic surgery: A physiologic study.

J Clin Anesth

November 2024

Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Catholic University of The Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; Anesthesia, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. Electronic address:

Study Objective: During laparoscopic surgery, the role of PEEP to improve outcome is controversial. Mechanistically, PEEP benefits depend on the extent of alveolar recruitment, which prevents ventilator-induced lung injury by reducing lung dynamic strain. The hypotheses of this study were that pneumoperitoneum-induced aeration loss and PEEP-induced recruitment are inter-individually variable, and that the recruitment-to-inflation ratio (R/I) can identify patients who benefit from PEEP in terms of strain reduction.

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Treatment response assessment of acute pyelonephritis: A multi-reader DWI-based MRI approach.

Curr Probl Diagn Radiol

July 2024

Unit of Radiology, "Santissima Annunziata" Hospital, Chieti, Italy; ITAB - Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies, Gabriele d'Annunzio University of Chieti, Italy; Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy. Electronic address:

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a structured reporting score (SRS) in treatment response assessment for acute pyelonephritis (APN) using a diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) -based MRI approach. Additionally, we explored the influence of reader experience on the interpretation of SRS and DWI, including lesion conspicuity and measurements of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) maps.

Methods: Follow-up DWI-based MRIs of 36 patients treated for APN between September 2021 and June 2023 were retrospectively reviewed by three readers.

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Article Synopsis
  • Lung ultrasonography (LUS) is a useful, non-invasive tool for diagnosing respiratory conditions, particularly in resource-limited settings, as it reduces radiation exposure and quantifies regional loss of aeration.
  • A study assessed the agreement among 20 experienced LUS operators by having them evaluate 25 video clips, revealing strong but not perfect inter-rater reliability, with varying levels of consensus on the scores assigned to the clips.
  • Despite some discrepancies, the findings indicate that LUS scoring can reliably inform severity assessments in respiratory diseases, making it a valuable clinical tool.
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Vaccination among pregnant and breastfeeding women is critical for protecting this vulnerable population and their children. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended both during pregnancy and breastfeeding; however, we still do not fully understand the determinants that influence hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to identify the determinants of vaccine hesitancy in pregnant and breastfeeding, puerperium women.

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Aims: To determine the utility of serial cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for guidance of therapy management in patients treated with anakinra due to recurrent pericarditis (RP), compared with C-reactive protein (CRP) assay alone.

Methods And Results: In 2018-21, we enrolled 18 (14.5 ± 1.

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Oral squamous-cell and pancreatic carcinomas are aggressive cancers with a poor outcome. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) consists of the use of photosensitizer-induced cell and tissue damage that is activated by exposure to visible light. PDT selectively acts on cancer cells, which have an accumulation of photosensitizer superior to that of the normal surrounding tissues.

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