University of Udine
Archivio istituzionale della ricerca - Università degli Studi di UdineNot a member yet
91472 research outputs found
Sort by
Real-world evidence of anti-VEGF therapies in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Italy: The RADIANCE study
Get PDFPurpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss, particularly neovascular AMD (nAMD). This study aimed to investigate the real-world treatment patterns, effectiveness, and safety of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies for anti-VEGF naïve nAMD patients in Italy. Methods: RADIANCE is a retrospective, observational, multicenter cohort study conducted at 13 clinical sites across Italy. The study enrolled all consecutive patients with nAMD, naïve to any intraocular anti-VEGF treatment and who initiated therapy with aflibercept, ranibizumab, or bevacizumab between January 2017 and November 2018. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate changes in visual acuity (VA) 52 weeks after initiating treatment with anti-VEGF. Results: A total of 405 patients were enrolled; of these, 263 patients had at least two VA measurements and were included in the completer analysis (CA) set. At 52 weeks, the median VA change from baseline in the CA set was +1 letter, with 41.1% showing ≥ 5-letter improvement. Stratified by anti-VEGF agent, no statistically significant differences were observed. Overall, patients received a median of 5.0 (25th–75th percentile 3–6) injections of the initial anti-VEGF agent during the first year. Patients receiving ≥ 6 injections in the first year showed better VA outcomes. Undertreatment was evident at decreasing injection frequency over time. Conclusion: The results of the RADIANCE study suggest an overall moderate effectiveness after 1 year of treatment with anti-VEGF in naïve patients with nAMD in Italy. Real-world outcomes demonstrated suboptimal treatment with no significant differences among anti-VEGF agents
The Role of Electroencephalography in Predicting Post-Stroke Seizures and an Updated Prognostic Model (SeLECT-EEG)
Get PDFObjective: Seizures negatively impact stroke outcomes, highlighting the need for reliable predictors of post-stroke epilepsy. Although acute symptomatic seizures are a known risk factor, most stroke survivors who develop epilepsy do not experience them. Early electroencephalography (EEG) findings may enhance risk prediction, particularly in patients without acute symptomatic seizures, aiding in patient management and counseling. Methods: We conducted a multicenter cohort study using data from 1,105 stroke survivors (mean age 71 years, 54% male) with neuroimaging-confirmed ischemic stroke who underwent EEG within 7 days post-stroke. Electrographic biomarkers, including epileptiform activity and regional slowing, were analyzed for their association with post-stroke epilepsy using Cox proportional hazards regression and Fine–Gray subdistribution hazard models, adjusted for differences in EEG timing and patient characteristics. Results: Post-stroke epilepsy developed in 119 patients (11%), whereas 233 (21%) had acute symptomatic seizures. The 5-year epilepsy risk was 42% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30–49%) in patients with epileptiform activity versus 13% (95% CI: 9–16%) in those without. Regional slowing doubled the 5-year epilepsy risk (23%, 95% CI: 17–30% vs 11%, 95% CI: 7–16%). Epileptiform activity (subdistribution hazard ratio: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5–3.4, p < 0.001) and regional slowing (subdistribution hazard ratio: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1–2.7, p = 0.02) were independently associated with post-stroke epilepsy. A novel prognostic model, SeLECT-EEG (concordance statistic: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.71–0.80), outperformed the previous standard (SeLECT2.0; 0.71, 95% CI: 0.65–0.76, p < 0.001). Interpretation: Electrographic biomarkers improve post-stroke epilepsy prediction beyond clinical risk factors. The SeLECT-EEG model enhances early risk stratification, particularly in patients without acute symptomatic seizures, informing management strategies and patient counseling. ANN NEUROL 2025
Restoration of forests supports the conservation of pollinators in intensively managed agricultural landscapes
Get PDFMany intensively managed agricultural landscapes of Europe are extremely poor in forests, which are among fundamental habitats for pollinating insects. To compensate for ongoing forest loss, compensatory afforestation is being widely implemented, especially in deforested areas, although empirical knowledge about its effectiveness for biodiversity conservation is still scarce. Here, we aimed at exploring the potential of biodiversity offsetting through restoration of forests in supporting pollinators in temperate agricultural landscapes. We compared understory pollinator communities between 17 lowland oak-hornbeam restored forest patches older than 20 years with those observed in 17 natural forest remnants, referenced here as the target habitat of ecological restoration. Species richness, abundance, and evenness of bees and hoverflies did not differ between restored and remnant forests, while we observed a lower abundance and higher evenness of lepidopterans in restored forests. The community composition of pollinators between the two forest types was similar. The taxonomic diversity of all pollinator taxa was positively related to canopy openness and flower diversity, while lepidopterans were also found to be sensitive to forest fragmentation at the landscape level. Comparing restored forests with natural reference systems suggested that the restoration of forests has the potential to support pollinators in degraded agricultural landscapes. Our results further provide valuable insights to guide forest ecological restoration targeting pollinators, in view of several ambitious conservation and restoration commitments undertaken at international level
Local systems of Castelnuovo-type and factorization of semistable families
No full textWe show the Castelnuovo-de Franchis Theorem for local systems of relative one forms. Thanks to this result we prove a factorization theorem for semistable families up to base change and we find conditions ensuring that the factorizing variety is a product. As a byproduct, we give a characterization of maximal rationally connected fibrations in the relative setting
An LGD model with extrinsic nucleations for polarization dynamics in ferroelectric materials and devices
Get PDFWe present a critical reexamination of the Landau–Ginzburg–Devonshire (LGD) model for ferroelectric materials that is based on intrinsic nucleation events. Theoretical considerations and a systematic comparison with experiments steered us towards a novel version and calibration of the LGD model relying instead on extrinsic nucleations. We show that the new model can not only improve the agreement with experiments, but also help reconcile the interpretation of polarization reversal in poly-crystalline and epitaxial ferroelectrics
Dermoscopic Features of Erosive Pustular Dermatosis of the Scalp: A Comparative Multicentric Retrospective Study in Bald and Hairy Patients
Get PDFBackground: Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) is a rare inflammatory disorder primarily affecting elderly individuals with bald or hairy scalps. It is often misdiagnosed due to clinical overlap with other scalp conditions. Dermoscopy is an invaluable diagnostic tool for hair and scalp disorders, but its utility in EPDS remains underexplored. This study aims to identify dermoscopic features of EPDS and compare them with differential diagnoses to improve non-invasive recognition. Materials and Methods: A retrospective multicentric study was conducted across three Italian dermatological centers. Two cohorts, bald and hairy patients with histologically confirmed EPDS, were compared with controls diagnosed with conditions mimicking EPDS. Dermoscopic images at 10× magnification were analyzed by two independent evaluators using standardized criteria. Comparative analyses of dermoscopic features and interobserver agreement were performed, with statistical significance set at p<0.01. Results: A total of 116 patients [53 bald patients (28 with EPDS and 25 controls) and 63 hairy patients (32 with EPDS and 31 controls)] were included in the study. Among EPDS bald patients, linear-curved vessels (unspecific distribution) (78.6%), orange structureless areas (diffuse) (46.4%), and yellow scales/crusts (focal) were the main findings, whereas focal yellow scales/crusts (84.4%) and the “peripheral horizontal hair” sign (84.4%) turned out to be the most common features in EPDS hairy patients. Comparative analysis revealed linear-curved vessels (p<0.001), orange structureless areas (diffuse) (p<0.001) and non-follicular pustules (p=0.005) to be distinctive features of EPDS in bald patients, while yellow scales/crusts (focal), non-follicular pustules and “peripheral horizontal hair” sign (horizontally arranged hair whose proximal part of the shaft is seen through a thinned epidermis at the edge of alopecic areas) were related (p<0.001) to EPDS in hairy patients. Interobserver agreement was excellent (Kappa=0.81–0.83). Conclusion: Dermoscopy provides valuable diagnostic clues for EPDS, distinguishing it from other scalp disorders
Intravenous thrombolysis in the context of stroke and cancer
Get PDFBackground: Cancer patients are at an increased risk for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Ischemic stroke in this population often presents with distinctive features, such as cryptogenic etiology and multiple ischemic lesions, and is driven by cancer-associated coagulopathy, complicating management strategies. Methods: We reviewed current literature on intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischemic stroke in cancer patients through PubMed search with no time limits. We included international guidelines, meta-analyses, cohort studies, and case series to evaluate its safety and efficacy. This descriptive review aims to evaluate the risks and benefits of thrombolytic treatment in patients with acute stroke and cancer. Discussion: Despite limited high-quality evidence (no randomized trial), studies suggest that IVT is generally safe and effective in cancer patients with ischemic stroke. However, treatment should be individualized, considering specific contraindications and the patient’s tumor characteristics. The 2019 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines contraindicate IVT in patients with gastrointestinal or intra-axial tumors; conversely, these conditions are not explicitly mentioned in the 2021 European Stroke Organization guidelines, as recent studies have not proven them to be at higher risk per se. Particular attention should be given to coagulation abnormalities, recent surgery, and concomitant medications. Thus, cautious and multidisciplinary management is needed. Further research is essential to define risk stratification for this complex population better. Multicentered, well-designed prospective studies are crucial and should also differentiate patients based on tumor site, histology, and molecular characteristics that could impact both thrombotic and hemorrhagic risk
Atlante artistico-botanico della flora e del paesaggio del Nord Italia
No full textIl progetto interdisciplinare prevede la realizzazione di un atlante iconografico della vegetazione e del paesaggio del Nord Italia. Lo studio si concentra sulle opere d’arte contemporanea conservate presso musei, collezioni, residenze, archivi pubblici e privati, analizzandone l’elemento naturale. L’obiettivo del lavoro è quello di indagare il paesaggio mediante la rappresentazione artistica e al contempo leggere il manufatto d’arte attraverso le specie botaniche e gli ambienti naturali e agricoli in esso incluse.
Partendo dallo studio delle specificità vegetazionali dei singoli territori e indagando le strategie di pianificazione, salvaguardia e gestione poste in essere dalle regioni esaminate (Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Lombardia, Piemonte, Trentino Alto Adige, Valle D’Aosta, Veneto), il progetto vuole assegnare all’opera d’arte il ruolo di testimone della trasformazione dei luoghi nel tempo, legandosi alle tematiche più recenti di tutela dell’ambiente.
A tale scopo, un approccio interdisciplinare comprendente la Storia dell’Arte e la Botanica assicura una globale ricognizione circa l’assetto complessivo, i sistemi di coltivazione, i segni di antropizzazione e i fenomeni trasformativi del Nord Italia. L’obiettivo è altresì quello di mappare le singole peculiarità territoriali per mezzo delle opere, pittoriche o fotografiche, e gli elementi paesaggistici in esse presenti in ragione di una nuova modalità di lettura dell'opera.
L’atlante, infatti, nel testimoniare la storia dell’evoluzione del paesaggio italiano contemporaneo mediante la catalogazione e la schedatura di opere appositamente selezionate, definisce un profilo storico-artistico e botanico delle stesse, fornendo elementi di georeferenziazione e di confronto tra il tangibile e il raffigurato.
Il vaglio iconografico delle opere che meglio rappresentano le specificità regionali è strutturato sulla verosimiglianza del dato naturalistico in esse contenuto, che favorisce la lettura botanica dell’opera.The interdisciplinary project involves the creation of an iconographic atlas of the vegetation and landscape of Northern Italy. The study focuses on contemporary works of art exhibited in museums, collections, residences, public and private archives, analyzing the natural element. The goal of the project is to investigate the landscape through the artistic representation and at the same time, to evaluate the artwork through the botanical species and the natural and agricultural environments included in it.
Starting from the study of the vegetation specificities of the individual territories and investigating the planning, safeguarding and management strategies implemented by the regions examined (Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino Alto Adige, Valle D'Aosta, Veneto), the project aims at assigning to the work of art the role of witness to the transformation of places over time, linking it to the most recent topics of environmental protection.
To this end, an interdisciplinary approach including History of Art and Botany ensures a global recognition of the overall layout, cultivation systems, signs of anthropisation and transformative phenomena in Northern Italy. The goal is also to map the individual territorial peculiarities through the works, whether pictorial or photographic, and the landscape elements present in them in a brand new way.
By witnessing the history of the evolution of the contemporary Italian landscape through the cataloguing and filing of specially selected works, the atlas defines a historical-artistic and botanical profile of the works themselves,, providing elements of georeferencing and comparison between the tangible and the represented.
The iconographic screening of the works that best represent the regional specificities is based on the verisimilitude of the naturalistic element contained in them, which facilitates a botanical approach to reading the work of art
