Development and validation of a patient-reported outcome tool to assess cancer-related financial toxicity in Italy: a protocol.

Introduction: Financial toxicity (FT) is a well-recognised problem in oncology. US-based studies have shown that: (a) cancer patients have a 2.7 times risk of bankruptcy; (b) patients who declare bankruptcy have a 79% greater hazard of death; (c) financial burden significantly impairs quality of life (QoL) and (d) reduces compliance and adherence to treatment prescriptions.

(Spirulina) Supplementation on Laying Hens' Performance: Eggs Physical, Chemical, and Sensorial Qualities.

The present study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of spirulina on laying hens' performances: Eggs' physical, chemical, and sensorial qualities. A total of 45 Lohman White hens, 44 weeks of age, were randomized into 3 groups of 15 birds. Hens were given 120 g/d of a basal diet containing 0% (control), 1.

Development and Optimization of Alpha-Pinene-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) Using Experimental Factorial Design and Dispersion Analysis.

The encapsulation of bicyclic monoterpene α-pinene into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) is reported using experimental factorial design, followed by high-end dispersion analyzer LUMiSizer. This equipment allows the characterization of the α-pinene-loaded SLN instability phenomena (e.g.

A nationwide survey of Leishmania infantum infection in cats and associated risk factors in Italy.

Though scantly investigated, Leishmania infantum infection and clinical cases of leishmaniasis in cats have been recently reported in several countries of the Mediterranean basin, with large variability in prevalence data. A major limitation in the comparability of the data available is attributed to the differences in diagnostic techniques employed and cat populations sampled. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of L.

Antiangiogenic Iridoids from Stachys ocymastrum and Premna resinosa.

In this paper, the isolation of one new iridoid glucoside, 6-acetoxyipolamiide (1: ), and thirteen (2:  - 14: ) known congeners from two Lamiaceae species, and , leaf extracts is reported. The structural determination of the isolated compounds was performed by mono- and bidimensional NMR spectroscopic analysis as well as MS experiments. The isolates were assayed for their antiangiogenic activity by two models, zebrafish embryos and chick chorioallantoic membrane assays.

Author Correction: The copy number variation landscape of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract.

In the version of this article initially published, affiliation 38 incorrectly read "ICNU-Nephrology and Urology Department, Barcelona, Spain"; "Renal Division, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain" is the correct affiliation. The error has been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions of the article.

Early management of COPD: where are we now and where do we go from here? A Delphi consensus project.

Purpose: There is a lack of consensus on the most appropriate early diagnostic strategy, criteria for early access to treatment and follow-up approach for patients with COPD.

Materials And Methods: A Delphi consensus project investigated the early management of COPD. We formulated two questionnaires for completion by pneumologists in Italy.

The copy number variation landscape of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract.

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are a major cause of pediatric kidney failure. We performed a genome-wide analysis of copy number variants (CNVs) in 2,824 cases and 21,498 controls. Affected individuals carried a significant burden of rare exonic (that is, affecting coding regions) CNVs and were enriched for known genomic disorders (GD).

Recent advances on Dirofilaria repens in dogs and humans in Europe.

Dirofilaria repens is a nematode affecting domestic and wild canids, transmitted by several species of mosquitoes. It usually causes a non-pathogenic subcutaneous infection in dogs and is the principal agent of human dirofilariosis in the Old World. In the last decades, D.

Novel GLI2 mutations identified in patients with Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency (CPHD): Evidence for a pathogenic effect by functional characterization.

Context: The Gli-family of zinc-finger transcription factors regulates the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway that plays a key role in early pituitary and ventral forebrain development. Heterozygous GLI2 loss of function mutations in humans have been reported in holoprosencephaly (HPE), HPE-like phenotypes associated with pituitary anomalies and combined pituitary hormone deficiency with or without other extra-pituitary findings.

Objective: The aim of this study was the search for GLI2 mutations in a cohort of Italian CPHD patients and the assessment of a pathogenic role for the identified variants through in vitro studies.

Exploring structural properties of potent human carbonic anhydrase inhibitors bearing a 4-(cycloalkylamino-1-carbonyl)benzenesulfonamide moiety.

Guided by the crystal structure of 4-(3,4-dihydroquinolin-1(2H)-ylcarbonyl)benzenesulfonamide 3 in complex with hCA II (PDB code 4Z0Q), a novel series of cycloalkylamino-1-carbonylbenzenesulfonamides was designed and synthesized. Thus, we replaced the quinoline ring with an azepine/piperidine/piperazine nucleus and introduced further modifications on cycloalkylamine nucleus by means the installation of hydrophobic/hydrophilic functionalities able to establish additional contacts in the middle area of the enzyme cavity. Among the synthesized compounds, the derivatives 7a, 7b, 8b exhibited a remarkable inhibition for hCA II and the brain-expressed hCA VII in subnanomolar range.

Arterial stiffness and mitral regurgitation in arterial hypertension: an intriguing pathophysiological link.

Background: We examined the relative impact of arterial stiffness on the presence and/or severity of chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) in hypertensive patients.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 141 untreated hypertensive patients (mean age 56.6 ± 11.

Role of Echocardiography in Assessment of Cardioembolic Sources: a Strong Diagnostic Resource in Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

Purpose Of Review: This review will discuss the most frequent sources of cardiac embolism and the role of echocardiography in these different clinical settings, and, in addition, provide suggestions about the choice between transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Recent Findings: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in industrial countries, and 15-40% of all ischemic strokes are due to cardioembolism. TTE and TEE are cornerstones in the detection of cardioembolic sources and provide fundamental information about the embolic risk and most suitable treatment of these patients, improving long-term outcomes.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: queries of the current era.

: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTS), also known as left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome, is an acute, usually reversible heart failure syndrome that most often affects postmenopausal women experiencing an emotionally stressful event. It is characterized by sudden left ventricular dysfunction and wall motion abnormalities involving the apical and mid segments. TTS has been increasingly recognized in recent years, and more and more information about the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of these patients has been reported.

Comparison between posterior sacral plate stabilization versus minimally invasive transiliac-transsacral lag-screw fixation in fractures of sacrum: a single-centre experience.

Purpose: The sacrum is a mechanical nucleus working as the base for the spinal column, as well as the keystone of the pelvic ring. Thus, injuries of the sacrum can lead to biomechanical instability and nerve conduction abnormality.

Methods: The common classification is the Denis classification, but these fractures are often part of a lesion of the posterior pelvic ring and therefore the Tile classification is very useful.

Molecular dynamics determination of liquid-vapor coexistence in molten alkali halides.

We show by extensive molecular dynamics simulations that accurate predictions of liquid-vapor coexistence in molten alkali halides can be achieved in terms of a rigid ion potential description in which temperature-dependent ionic diameters are employed. The new ionic sizes result from the fitting of the experimental isothermal compressibilities, a condition whose physical implications and consequences are illustrated. The same diameters also allow us to formulate confident predictions for the compressibilities of salts in cases where the experimental data are lacking.

ADAPT technique with ACE68 and ACE64 reperfusion catheters in ischemic stroke treatment: results from the PROMISE study.

Background And Purpose: The recent randomized trials demonstrated the benefit of mechanical thrombectomy in stroke therapy. However, treatment using different strategies is an ongoing area of investigation. The PROMISE study analyzed the safety and effectiveness of the Penumbra System with the ACE68 and ACE64 reperfusion catheters in aspiration thrombectomy of stroke, using A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique (ADAPT).

Six-month field efficacy and safety of the combined treatment of dogs with Frontline Tri-Act® and NexGard Spectra®.

Background: Safety and efficacy of the combined monthly use of spot-on fipronil 6.76% w/v / permethrin 50.48% w/v (Frontline Tri-Act®) and chewable tablets of afoxolaner 1.

Narrative medicine in metastatic prostate cancer reveals ways to improve patient awareness & quality of care.

Aim: To describe the journey of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in treatment with radium-223.

Methods: A multiperspective analysis was performed using narrative medicine in four Italian centers.

Results: The substantial impact of mCRPC on quality of life through all phases of the disease was described.

Evolution of the graded repair of CSF leaks and skull base defects in endonasal endoscopic tumor surgery: trends in repair failure and meningitis rates in 509 patients.

Objective: The authors previously described a graded approach to skull base repair following endonasal microscopic or endoscope-assisted tumor surgery. In this paper they review their experience with skull base reconstruction in the endoscopic era.

Methods: A retrospective review of a single-institution endonasal endoscopic patient database (April 2010–April 2017) was undertaken.

The anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory response of COPD airway smooth muscle cells to hydrogen sulfide.

Backbround: COPD is a common, highly debilitating disease of the airways, primarily caused by smoking. Chronic inflammation and structural remodelling are key pathological features of this disease caused, in part, by the aberrant function of airway smooth muscle (ASM). We have previously demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide (HS) can inhibit ASM cell proliferation and CXCL8 release, from cells isolated from non-smokers.