Efficacy of Occupational Therapy Interventions on Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To review studies assessing the efficacy of occupational therapy interventions on quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Method: We followed the international guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Databases (PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, OTsekeer, Scopus, Cinhal, and Web of Science) were searched to identify randomized controlled trials of occupational therapy interventions in patients with Parkinson's disease up to 2019 and with no restriction on language.

The segetal flora of Italy: an occurrence dataset from relevés in winter cereals and allied crop types.

The segetal flora of winter crops includes mostly native or archaeophyte annual species that are often strong specialists of their habitats. Threatened by the intensification of agriculture, segetal flora is particularly valuable from a perspective of biodiversity conservation and evolution. Moreover, it contributes to maintain biodiversity in agroecosystems and provides several ecosystem services.

An enormous Italian pedigree of Marfan syndrome with a novel mutation in the FBN1 gene.

We characterize a large Italian family presenting with Marfan syndrome (MFS), where the same NM_000138.4:c.6872-1G > T splice site mutation in the FBN1 gene was detected in 37 affected individuals with different pathological phenotypes.

Novel optimized biopolymer-based nanoparticles for nose-to-brain delivery in the treatment of depressive diseases.

A valid option to bypass the obstacle represented by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in brain delivery is the use of the unconventional intranasal route of administration. The treatment of depressive diseases, resulting from the depletion of a neurotransmitter in the inter-synaptic space, such as serotonin, is indirectly treated using molecules that can permeate the BBB unlike the latter. In the present article, a set of nanovectors were produced using a mucoadhesive biopolymer, alginate (Alg).

eggs on blow flies attracted to millipede defence secretions in Tanzania, with a stab at summarising their biology (Diptera: Conopidae & Calliphoridae).

The genus Macquart (Diptera: Conopidae) is sister to the remainder of the Conopidae. While all other Conopidae are endoparasitoids of aculeate Hymenoptera, species of appear to be endoparasitoids of 'orthopteroids', as the only confirmed rearing records are from crickets and cockroaches. Many calyptrate flies have been observed with eggs attached, but since no have been reared from any dipterans, it is still unknown if these flies are hosts, results of accidental oviposition or carry the eggs to the actual hosts.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Advanced Liver Disease: An Exploratory Meta-Analysis.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have had a positive impact in preventing cardioembolic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who were associated with lower bleeding complications; however, data on subjects with concomitant advanced liver diseases (ALDs) are poor. This meta-analysis evaluates bleeding and thromboembolic complications in patients with coexisting AF and ALD who were treated with DOACs or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies identified by the PubMed and Embase databases using a combination of the following keywords: "direct oral anticoagulants," "advanced liver disease," "cirrhosis," "bleeds," "stroke.

Liver necrosis following cholecystectomy in sickle cell disease.

Postoperative vaso-occlusive disease may be a life-threatening condition in patients affected by sickle cell disease, necessitating sometimes liver transplantation. After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, liver necrosis is usually secondary to intraoperative vascular injury. In this patient, the vaso-occlusive crisis mimicked a vascular injury with segmental postoperative necrosis.

Tachinid (Diptera, Tachinidae) parasitoids of (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) and other moths.

The present paper reports data on the biology of eleven species of tachinid flies collected in Italy and Spain on different host plants and emerged from different host larvae. An annotated list of the eleven species emerged from the collected lepidopterans is provided; information about distribution and biology are given as well as the description of their puparia. Two new parasitoid species of the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) were recorded: , whose host preferences were unknown so far, and .

Voluntary Inhibitory Control of Chorea: A Case Series.

Background: Volitional control of involuntary movements has so far been considered a hallmark of tic disorders. However, modulation of involuntary movements can also be observed in other hyperkinesias.

Cases: Here, we present 6 patients with chorea able to suppress their involuntary movements, on demand.

Boosting basic-peptide separation through dynamic electrostatic-repulsion reversed-phase (d-ERRP) liquid chromatography.

The application of a novel chromatographic approach to therapeutic peptides bearing basic amino acids in their structure allowed unprecedented resolution of their related impurities (including epimeric isobaric ones), resulting in a superior analytical tool for the evaluation of the quality of these drugs in the market.

Glutathione increase by the n-butanoyl glutathione derivative (GSH-C4) inhibits viral replication and induces a predominant Th1 immune profile in old mice infected with influenza virus.

During aging, glutathione (GSH) content declines and the immune system undergoes a deficiency in the induction of Th1 response. Reduced secretion of Th1 cytokines, which is associated with GSH depletion, could weaken the host defenses against viral infections. We first evaluated the concentration of GSH and cysteine in organs of old mice; then, the effect of the administration of the N-butanoyl GSH derivative (GSH-C4) on the response of aged mice infected with influenza A PR8/H1N1 virus was studied through the determination of GSH concentration in organs, lung viral titer, IgA and IgG1/IgG2a production, and Th1/Th2 cytokine profile.

Support for collective action against refugees: The role of national, European, and global identifications, and autochthony beliefs.

To understand recent anti-refugee protests in Europe, we examined how different levels of inclusiveness of group identities (national, European, and global) are related to intentions to protest among native Europeans. We focused on the mediating role of autochthony (a belief that the first inhabitants of a territory are more entitled) and the moderating role of threat. Survey data from 11 European countries (=1,909) showed that national identification was positively associated with autochthony, and therefore, with the intention to protest against refugees.

Large neck metastasis of hypopharyngeal cancer.

Lateral neck masses may be due to congenital, infectious, or malignant disease. Sometimes, the mass can be the only sign of an asymptomatic cancer. A correct clinical approach and the differential diagnosis are the key points for a correct diagnosis.

The Right to Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy in Italy: Taking Stock Forty Years after the Enactment of Law no. 194/1978. Comparative Law-based Remarks.

Forty years after the enactment of Law no. 194/78 that governs voluntary interruption of pregnancy, Italy has been experiencing difficulties guaranteeing that patients gain access to abortion procedures in a timely fashion. Conscientious objection detracts considerably from the very effectiveness of the law, as pointed out by major European institutions as well.

Thrombocytopenia and Mortality Risk in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: An Analysis From the START Registry.

Background Thrombocytopenia is associated with increased mortality in the general population, but few data exist in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) taking oral anticoagulants. We investigated factor determinants of thrombocytopenia in a large cohort of patients affected by AF and its association with total mortality. Methods and Results Multicenter prospective cohort study, including 5215 patients with AF from the START (Survey on Anticoagulated Patients Register) registry, 3877 (74.

Phosphodiesterase 5 Associates With β2 Adrenergic Receptor to Modulate Cardiac Function in Type 2 Diabetic Hearts.

Background In murine heart failure models and in humans with diabetic-related heart hypertrophy, inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) by sildenafil improves cardiac outcomes. However, the mechanism by which sildenafil improves cardiac function is unclear. We have observed a relationship between PDE5 and β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR), which is characterized here as a novel mechanistic axis by which sildenafil improves symptoms of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Serum Albumin Is Inversely Associated With Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhosis.

We analyzed whether serum albumin is independently associated with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in liver cirrhosis (LC) and if a biologic plausibility exists. This study was divided into three parts. In part 1 (retrospective analysis), 753 consecutive patients with LC with ultrasound-detected PVT were retrospectively analyzed.

Orthodontic screening and treatment timing in preschoolers.

Dental and stomatologic problems in childhood need to be diagnosed and managed with multidisciplinary protocols focusing around the children an appropriate prevention, diagnosis, and care program. Therefore, it is paramount to avail of screening tools that provide an indication of in-depth multidisciplinary diagnostic flow. The aim of this study is to detect and evaluate malocclusion problems and predisposing factors in an Italian preschooler population.

Delayed efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation on arrhythmias originating in the interventricular basal septum.

Delayed efficacy of radiofrequency energy can suppress ventricular arrhythmias after a failed ablation procedure. The implant of cardiac defibrillator for arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy should be procrastinated after a period of follow-up. Waiting for delayed efficacy is a reasonable choice to reduce the risk of complications associated with aggressive ablative approaches.

Cervical Dystonia Following Injury to the Cerebellar Pontine Angle: An Instructive Case.

A 38-year-old woman presented with cervical dystonia in the context of a recent surgery to remove a vestibular schwannoma. She initially presented to neurology with pain in the right arm, and MRI of the brain showed an incidental right-sided vestibular schwannoma (Video 1, Segment 1). An elective gamma-knife procedure was performed, which failed.

Gamma Glutamyltransferase Reduction Is Associated With Favorable Outcomes in Pediatric Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

Adverse clinical events in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) happen too slowly to capture during clinical trials. Surrogate endpoints are needed, but no such validated endpoints exist for children with PSC. We evaluated the association between gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) reduction and long-term outcomes in pediatric PSC patients.