169,731 research outputs found
Comportamento a lungo termine di strutture ibride contenenti elementi prefabbricati in calcestruzzo
No full text
An open-label study on the short-term effects of a novel EFSA-compliant nutraceutical combination in mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia
No full textOBJECTIVE: Recently, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recommended to limit the use of total monacolins in red yeast rice (RYR) products to a dose <3 mg/day. However, data concerning the lipid lowering efficacy of the reduced dosage remain limited. A monacolin dose reduced due to safety issues may be expected to be less effective as a lipid lowering strategy and, for this reason, nutraceutical combinations with other active compounds may offer a viable solution as they can act synergistically through different mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This 8-week open-label study was designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of a novel ESFA-compliant lipid lowering nutraceutical combination (Colestarmony Plus(®); containing total monacolins from RYR at a dose of 2.9 mg/day, a highly bioavailable berberine formulation, and pomegranate extract) in subjects (n=40) with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia and no history of cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of supplementation, Colestarmony Plus(® )significantly reduced total cholesterol (−10.4%, p<0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (−14.8%, p<0.05), oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (−12.0%, p<0.05), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (−14.0%, p<0.05) compared with baseline values. A subgroup of 22 patients underwent measurements of flow-mediated dilation, with values increasing by 18.0% at 8 weeks with respect to baseline (p<0.05). The supplement was generally well-tolerated. CONCLUSION: Our short-term results indicate that the tested ESFA-compliant nutraceutical is effective in a primary prevention setting, even by providing only <3 mg/day of monacolins
The T393C polymorphism of the GNAS1 gene is associated with deficit schizophrenia in an Italian population sample
No full textProgrammed cell death and alterations in intracellular G-protein signaling may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The Galphas subunit of heterotrimeric G-proteins, encoded by the gene GNAS1, may play a role in both of these processes. Additionally, transgenic mice expressing a constitutively active form of Galphas provide a reliable model of certain endophenotypes of schizophrenia. To investigate whether the functional single nucleotide polymorphism T393C in GNAS1 gene could affect risk of schizophrenia, we examined its distribution in Italian subjects with (n=383) and without (n=400) schizophrenia. We also evaluated whether a specific association could exist between the deficit (n=108) and nondeficit (n=275) forms of the disorder. The alleles and genotypes frequency in the entire cohort of schizophrenic patients did not differ from that of controls. However, the frequency of the homozygous 393TT genotype was significantly higher in deficit schizophrenic patients (37.1%) compared to both nondeficit schizophrenic (22.5%, p=0.011) and controls (22.8%, p=0.015). This association with deficit schizophrenia persisted even after allowance for potential confounders [adjusted odds ratio (OR) for deficit schizophrenia: 2.06 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-3.47), p=0.007]. Altogether, our data suggest that the GNAS1 T393C status could influence susceptibility for deficit schizophrenia in Italian subjects
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
No full textThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
[Ozone therapy: a potential adjunct approach to lower urinary tract infection? A case series report]
No full textMulti-resistant drug bacteria are an emerging health care concern around the world. A decreased resistance to infection as seen in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and kidney transplanted patients as well as some metabolic abnormalities such as hyperglycemia and glycosuria or clinical conditions such as the neurogenic bladder may indeed portend a great risk of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI). The common and indiscriminate use of antibiotics often provides the patients with only a transient or partial amelioration of the urinary tract discomforts and increases the risk of multi-resistant drug bacteria selection. Thus a great effort is made in order to develop new antibacterial approaches especially in the setting of multi- antibiotic resistant pathogens. We herein report on some promising yet preliminary results of the use of ozone therapy in UTI
Mitomycin C in highly myopic eyes - Author reply
No full textOphthalmology. 2005 Feb;112(2):208-18; discussion 219.
Mitomycin C modulation of corneal wound healing after photorefractive keratectomy in highly myopic eyes.
Gambato C, Ghirlando A, Moretto E, Busato F, Midena E.
SourceRefractive Surgery Service and Antimetabolite Therapy Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of topical mitomycin C in corneal wound healing (CWH) after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in highly myopic eyes.
DESIGN: Prospective, double-masked, randomized clinical trial.
PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-two eyes of 36 patients affected by high (>7 diopters) myopia.
METHODS: In each patient, one eye was randomly assigned to PRK with intraoperative topical 0.02% mitomycin C application, and the fellow eye was treated with a placebo. Postoperatively, mitomycin C-treated eyes received artificial tears (3 times daily, tapered in 3 months), whereas the fellow eye was treated with fluorometholone sodium 2% and artificial tears (3 times daily, tapered in 3 months).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity, manifest refraction, and biomicroscopy. Contrast sensitivity was determined using the Pelli-Robson chart. Corneal confocal microscopy documented CWH.
RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 18 months (range, 12-36). No side effects or toxic effects were documented. At 12-month follow-up examination, UCVAs (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) were 0.4+/-0.48 and 0.5+/-0.53 (P = .03) in mitomycin C-treated eyes and corticosteroid-treated eyes, respectively. At 1 year, corneal haze developed in 20% of corticosteroid-treated eyes, versus 0% of mitomycin C-treated eyes. At 12, 24, and 36 months, corneal confocal microscopy showed activated keratocytes and extracellular matrix significantly more evident in untreated eyes (Ps = 0.004, 0.024, and 0.046, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Topical intraoperative application of 0.02% mitomycin C can reduce haze formation in highly myopic eyes undergoing PRK.
Comment in
Ophthalmology. 2006 Feb;113(2):357; author reply 357-8
A New Algorithm To Predict IDH Through A Multi-parametric Analysis On The Dialysis Project Data
No full textSingle-center open-label randomized study of anemia management improvement in ESRD patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism
No full textWhether anemia and mineral bone abnormalities (chronic kidney disease–mineral bone disorder [CKD-MBD]) are associated still remains to be elucidated. Both anemia and CKD-MBD have been associated with adverse cardiovascular outcome and poor quality of life. However, recent evidence suggests that use of large doses of erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) to correct hemoglobin (Hb) may be detrimental in CKD. The Optimal Anemia Treatment in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (Optimal ESRD Treatment) study will assess whether lowering of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is associated with a reduction in ESA consumption.
The Optimal ESRD Treatment study is a pilot single-center open-label study with blinded end point (a prospective randomized open blinded end-point [PROBE] design) enrolling 50 patients on maintenance dialysis. Eligible patients with intact PTH (iPTH) 300-540 pg/mL and Hb 10-11.5 g/dL will be randomized 1:1 to strict PTH control (150-300 pg/mL) versus standard care (PTH range 300-540 pg/mL). Available drugs for CKD-MBD and anemia treatment will be managed by the attending physician to maintain the desired levels of PTH (according to study arm allocation) and Hb (10-11.5 g/dL). Echocardiographic data for cardiac structure and function as well as arterial stiffness will be assessed at study inception and completion.
The Optimal ESRD Treatment study should shed light on the complicated interplay of anemia and CKD-MBD and on the feasibility of clinical trials in this domain. The study results are expected in the spring of 2017
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