Study of childbirth education classes and evaluation of their effectiveness.

Background: Childbirth education classes are antenatal support services offered to pregnant women or to the couple, aimed at increasing their knowledge regarding pregnancy, labour, delivery, breastfeeding, parenthood and newborn care.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of Birthing Classes through the analysis of the occurrence of C-section, epidural analgesia, behavior during labor and delivery of the women who participated to the course as compared to those who did not attend it. Moreover, the level of satisfaction of pregnant women who attended the course was measured with a questionnaire of 20 items handed out after the delivery.

How Much Can We Trust Major Element Quantification in Bioapatite Investigation?

Bioapatite is probably the key factor in the unreplicated success of vertebrates. Chemical data on bioapatite composition can be achieved on a solid sample by using different analytical tools such as spectroscopic and spectrometric methods. As analytical outputs can be affected by the physical-chemical characteristics of the sample matrix, an internal standard is usually required to correct and validate the results.

Intra-class and inter-class tool discrimination through micro-CT analysis of false starts on bone.

Micro-CT has successfully been applied to the characterization of false starts (FSs) and, among several parameters, kerf width seems to correlate to the tool blade. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of micro-CT for the differentiation of saw marks produced by different classes of saws and by saws belonging to the same class and differing only in number of teeth per inches (TPI). A morphological and morphometric analysis of 84 marks, produced by 6 saws belonging to 3 morphological classes, was performed.

Obinutuzumab and miniCHOP for unfit patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. A phase II study by Fondazione Italiana Linfomi.

Objective: To evaluate activity and safety of obinutuzumab-miniCHOP (Ga101-miniCHOP) combination in older patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) unfit to receive full dose immunochemotherapy.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a Simon's two-stage phase II multicenter trial to investigate response rate (primary endpoint) and safety of six courses of Ga101-miniCHOP in older patients with DLBCL (≥65 years), prospectively defined as unfit according to a simplified Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (sCGA).

Results: Overall, 34 patients were enrolled (median age 82 years; range 68-89), with 27 out of the 33 eligible patients completing all six planned courses.

Clinical results and short-term survivorship of robotic-arm-assisted medial and lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: The aim of this multicentre, retrospective, observational study was to determine the incidence of revision and clinical results of a large cohort of robotic-arm-assisted medial and lateral UKAs at short-term follow-up. It was hypothesized that patients who receive robotic-arm-assisted UKA will have high survivorship rates and satisfactory clinical results.

Methods: Between 2013 and 2016, 437 patients (470 knees) underwent robotic-arm-assisted medial and lateral UKAs at two centres.

Effectiveness of a "Spring Pillow" Versus Education in Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Different types of pillows have been proposed for neck pain, but no previous randomized controlled trial has investigated the effectiveness of a "spring pillow" for adults with chronic nonspecific neck pain.

Objective: We evaluated the effectiveness of using a pillow made from viscoelastic polyurethane and 60 independent springs compared with an educational intervention in individuals with chronic nonspecific neck pain.

Design: This was a randomized controlled trial with crossover study design.

Does component placement affect short-term clinical outcome in robotic-arm assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty?

Aims: The purpose of this multicentre observational study was to investigate the association between intraoperative component positioning and soft-tissue balancing on short-term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing robotic-arm assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Patients And Methods: Between 2013 and 2016, 363 patients (395 knees) underwent robotic-arm assisted UKAs at two centres. Pre- and postoperatively, patients were administered Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Score (KOOS) and Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12).

Regulatory and Clinical Experiences with Biosimilar Filgrastim in the U.S., the European Union, Japan, and Canada.

Biosimilar filgrastims are primarily indicated for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia prevention. They are less expensive formulations of branded filgrastim, and biosimilar filgrastim was the first biosimilar oncology drug administered in European Union (EU) countries, Japan, and the U.S.

Remodeling classification system considering left ventricular volume in patients with aortic valve stenosis: Association with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Background: To assess prevalence and clinical implications of left ventricular (LV) remodeling considering: LV volume, mass and relative wall thickness at the time of aortic valve stenosis diagnosis.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed 343 patients (age 79.2 ± 9.

Outcome of transformed follicular lymphoma worsens according to the timing of transformation and to the number of previous therapies. A retrospective multicenter study on behalf of Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL).

Optimal treatment for transformed follicular lymphoma (tFL) is not fully defined. Clinical characteristics and treatments that impact on post-transformation outcome of 176 biopsy-proven tFL were analysed. Transformation occurred at initial diagnosis in 52% (Group 1) and after a FL diagnosis in 48% (Group 2).

Anti-Candidaalbicans germ tube antibodies reduce in vitro growth and biofilm formation of C. albicans.

Background: Invasive candidiasis by Candida albicans is associated with high morbidity and mortality, due in part to the late implementation of an appropriate antifungal therapy hindered by the lack of an early diagnosis.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of the antibodies against C. albicans germ tubes (CAGTA) raised in a rabbit model of candidemia.

Long-Term Implications of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation.

Background: Scientific guidelines consider atrial fibrillation (AF) complicating degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) a debated indication for surgery.

Objectives: This study analyzed the prognostic/therapeutic implications of AF at DMR diagnosis and long-term.

Methods: Patients were enrolled in the MIDA (Mitral Regurgitation International Database) registry, which reported the consecutive, multicenter, international experience with DMR due to flail leaflets echocardiographically diagnosed.

American Society of Hematology 2018 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: prophylaxis for hospitalized and nonhospitalized medical patients.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common vascular disease. Medical inpatients, long-term care residents, persons with minor injuries, and long-distance travelers are at increased risk.

Objective: These evidence-based guidelines from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) intend to support patients, clinicians, and others in decisions about preventing VTE in these groups.

New classification of geometric patterns considering left ventricular volume in patients with chronic aortic valve regurgitation: Prevalence and association with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) remodeling due to aortic regurgitation (AR) often leads to maladaptive responses. We assessed the prevalence and clinical implications of LV remodeling considering LV volume, mass, and relative wall thickness at the time of AR diagnosis.

Methods And Results: Between 2008 and 2017, 370 consecutive patients (mean age 67.

Efficacy of bendamustine and rituximab in splenic marginal zone lymphoma: results from the phase II BRISMA/IELSG36 study.

Splenectomy in addition to immunotherapy with rituximab can provide quick and sometimes durable disease control in patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL). However, systemic chemotherapy is ultimately required in many cases. The BRISMA (Bendamustine-rituximab as first-line treatment of splenic marginal zone lymphoma)/IELSG (International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group)36 trial is an open-label, single arm phase II study designed by the IELSG in cooperation with the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi and the lymphoma Study Association according to Simon's two-stage method.

The impact of introducing tyrosine kinase inhibitors on chronic myeloid leukemia survival: a population-based study.

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia is associated with a BCR/ABL oncoprotein inhibited by imatinib mesylate, the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Although experimental studies have clearly demonstrated the efficacy of imatinib, up-to-date data on its effectiveness at the population level are limited. Our study aims to assess the change in disease-specific survival for chronic myeloid leukemia after introducing tyrosine kinase inhibitors in first-line treatment.

Home care for heart failure: can caregiver education prevent hospital admissions? A randomized trial in primary care.

Aim: To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a low-complexity, low-cost model of caregiver education in primary care, targeted to reduce hospitalizations of heart failure patients.

Methods: A cluster-randomized, controlled, open trial was proposed to general practitioners, who were invited to identify patients with heart failure, exclusively managed at home and continuously attended by a caregiver. Participating general practitioners were then randomized to: usual treatment; caregiver education (educational session for recognizing early symptoms/signs of heart failure, with recording in a diary of a series of patient parameters, including body weight, blood pressure, heart rate).

Survey of students of the degree course in obstetrics, on learning using case based learning (cbl) method in the area of professional teachings.

Background: Case Based Learning (CBL) is a teaching methodology that, starting from a case associated with real life situations, is able to stimulate students to investigate, reflect and discuss to find the solution to the case.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the satisfaction and the educational impact on the students of the Obstetrics Degree Course on Learning Case Based Learning CBL (on real clinical cases).

Methods: The observational study was carried out through the presentation of real clinical cases to a sample of 43 students of a degree course in Obstetrics and giving them questionnaires of evaluation regarding satisfaction and educational impact, using measurement scales which ranged from 1 (very bad) to 5 (excellent).

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy as an Alternative to Lobectomy in Patients With Medically Operable Stage I NSCLC: A Retrospective, Multicenter Analysis.

Background: Stereotactic ablative body radiation therapy (SBRT) has evolved as the standard treatment for patients with inoperable stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We report the results of a retrospective analysis conducted on a large, well-controlled cohort of patients with stage I to II NSCLC who underwent lobectomy (LOB) or SBRT.

Materials And Methods: One hundred eighty-seven patients with clinical-stage T1a-T2bNoMO NSCLC were treated in 2 academic hospitals between August 2008 and May 2015.

Breathlessness, but not cough, suggests chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in elderly smokers with stable heart failure.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common comorbidity of heart failure (HF), but remains often undiagnosed, and we aimed to identify symptoms predicting COPD in HF. As part of an observational, prospective study, we investigated stable smokers with a confirmed diagnosis of HF, using the 8-item COPD-Assessment-Test (CAT) questionnaire to assess symptoms. All the items were correlated with the presence of COPD, and logistic regression models were used to identify independent predictors.

Use of adjunct cardiovascular therapy in patients hospitalised for acute exacerbations of COPD.

http://ow.ly/uAnk30luMYz.

Removal of Bilirubin with a New Adsorbent System: In Vitro Kinetics.

Background/aims: Many potentially toxic molecules accumulate in the blood during hepatic dysfunction. In clinical practice, it is very difficult to remove bilirubin, the most widely studied toxin, and particularly the unconjugated form, strongly albumin-bound. The aim of this in vitro study was to assess irreversible bilirubin adsorption as a protein-bound compound marker, using Cytosorb® (Cytosorbents Corp.

The association between migraine and physical exercise.

Background: There is an unmet need of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options for migraine patients. Exercise can be used in the treatment of several pain conditions, including. However, what exact role exercise plays in migraine prevention is unclear.