1,721,008 research outputs found
Telepharmacy Services for Improving Medical Care Quality on Board Ships
Full text linkTravelling at sea for any reason poses travelers at risk of accidents or diseases. Treatment of these problems requires the availability of drugs and medical devices to cope with these situations.
Another problematic factor in case of pathologies onboard is the fact that with the only exception of passenger on cruise ships, merchant ships do not carry doctor or adequately trained paramedic personnel.
With the discovery and dissemination of the radio, the isolation conditions at the sea were interrupted and Radio Medical Centers were established to ensure reasonable levels of medical care on board.
When accidents occur on board or if a crew member suffers grave a disease of some complexity, the master may request the intervention of a physician on a nearby ship with medical facilities on board, or may ask medical advice to a maritime telemedicine assistance service (T.M.A.S.).
In this respect it should be mentioned that the Italian T.M.A.S., Centro Internazionale Radio Medico (C.I.R.M.), is the organization with the largest experience in the field worldwide.
The disparity between national and international regulations relatively to medicines that ships must have on board, can make
healthcare complicated, especially in ships involved in long distance routes and far long times
Recent Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) technology advancements have led to health care improvement and increased the scope of technology in the medical fields.
What was impossible in the past due to technological limitations is now possible, improving health outcomes of vulnerable populations, such as seafarers.
The discipline that governs the application of modern medical technologies is called e-health or commonly referred to as “electronic health”.
This thesis describes in detail all the services that include electronic health with the advantages and limitations associated with them by analyzing in depth what these technologies are most widely used for applications are also presented according their use.
The rest of the document consist of some publications in specific e-health services published during my PhD program in telemedicine and telepharmacy by myself and all the team in the department I worked with.
In order to further improve the quality of assistance provided to seafarers (but, by extension, to all remote patients) a questionnaire on "Customer Satisfaction" was developed, submitted to both seafarers and their TMAS assistants. This allowed us to assess in first person the degree of appreciation of the services offered and experienced, overall.
Development of a system for handling the ship’s pharmacy requires knowledge of compliance, understanding of the life at sea and an analytical approach to managing the medical chest. The aim of the system is to manage the ship’s medical chest reducing as much as possible the human interaction avoiding misunderstanding and issues. The system developed has proved to be an effective tool which serves to guarantee the compliance of the ship pharmacy with regulations of the flag state in terms of medicinal products and medications. Sharing the system with the Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service may result in avoiding mistakes in drug administration. Last but not least the availability of that software could help reduce/avoid problems with maritime health authorities in case any of the required medicinal products are missing
Improved aesthetic physicians knowledge of face anatomy through cadaver dissection
No full textAn adequate knowledge of face anatomy is an essential prerequisite for a safe aesthetic medicine practice. Cadaveric dissection is an effective teaching method of anatomy in medical training. In cadaveric dissection, the learner plays the central role of the teaching process and to view structures in their natural localization.
The Camerino and Turin Universities have been organizing for several years an international Master in Aesthetic Medicine and Therapeutics. This Master in the last 3 years has enrolled 1000 attendants of different nationalities and consisted of two programs, one for national users, which did not include a cadaver lab and one for international user that included a cadaver lab. Attendants to the national course were 250 (145 females and 105 males), whereas those to the international course were 750 (400 females and 350 males).
Each attendant received a multiple-choice questionnaire with 25 questions to ascertain knowledge of face anatomy. One week after, the attendants of the national program followed a series of video face dissection of 4 (first day) + 8 (second day) hours. The attendants to the international program followed face-to-face a dissection course with one session of 4 hours with the demonstration made by the teacher (first day). A second session lasting 8 hours in which each attendant (4 per one anatomical sample) did directly the dissection followed the session of the teacher’s demonstration (second day). The day after the second day of training, attendants of the two groups received another multiple-choice questionnaire. A comparison between the pre-course and post-course test results between the two groups was therefore done.
A statistical difference in pre-course and post-course test evaluation was noticeable between the two groups of attendants. Comparatively, the scores obtained by attendants who made directly dissections were significantly higher than those of attendants following dissection with videos.
Our data suggest that cadaver anatomy training improves facial anatomy knowledge. The best scores obtained by those doing directly the dissection indicate that cadaver dissection may enhance confidence in performing facial aesthetic procedures. These findings suggest the need to introduce anatomy cadaver dissection programs in courses for aesthetic physicians training
Factors affecting mental health of seafarers on board merchant ships: A systematic review
Full text linkMerchant ships represent a peculiar working environment with several challenges and risks. The specific situation on board of ships may affect the mental health of seafarers more remarkably than ashore workers. A systematic review of the literature has been carried out to identify the main causes of mood disorders among seafarers and the impact that these disorders have on their health. This review has analyzed the scientific literature published between January 2006 and December 2021 using the search engines PubMed, Web of Science (WoS) and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Social isolation, distance from families, fatigue, stress and long work shifts represent the main causes of mood disorders among seafarers. Strategies aimed at improving conditions of cohabitation on board, and a greater consideration of these problems are key for improving the mental health of workers at sea. © 202
Overview on incorporating computer-aided diagnosis systems for dementia: Early detection of Alzheimer's disease
No full textDementia is one of the major issues in public health all over the world. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is its most common and famous form. Late detection of AD has irreparable effects for the people suffering from it. Cognitive assessment tests are the conventional approach to detect AD. They are quick to do, and not costly. However, they have low predictive values. Therefore, other ways such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used. Recently, advances in computer-aided diagnosis system (CADS) using MRI have provided useful information in the quantitative evaluation of AD at an early stage. Although it cannot be substituted with the doctors, but it helps. Many algorithms for CADS were presented, which means CADS is one of the growing techniques in this field. Because there is no standardized approach to determine the best one, it is essential to be familiar with general approaches to design a CADS. This chapter deals with a general approach for design and develop a reliable CADS using biomarkers extracted from MRI. The advancement of using CAS and MRI for AD are discusse
Survival of umbilicus on a superiorly based flap after fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty: A case report
Full text linkINTRODUCTION: Massive weight loss patients have a midline excess of abdominal adipose and skin tissue that contributes to an increased abdominal girth. This excess of tissue in these patients is not resolved with traditional techniques of abdominoplasty and usually the fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty technique is employed. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 22-year-old male patient came to our clinic after a massive weight loss of 170 kg, requesting an abdominoplasty for the excess adipose and skin tissue. DIAGNOSIS: Massive weight loss patient, with excess of adipose and skin tissue in the midline abdominal area. INTERVENTIONS: Fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty technique was employed for treatment of massive weight loss. OUTCOMES: During the surgery, it was decided that the umbilicus blood supply via the inferior epigastric artery and median umbilical ligament needed to be ligated, to remove more tissue for better aesthetic result. The umbilicus survived on the collateral blood supply from ligamentum teres and superior epigastric collaterals. CONCLUSION/LESSONS: In this case report we review our experience treating a massive weight loss patient using a fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty technique without preserving the umbilicus blood supply via the inferior epigastric artery and median umbilical ligament. We eventually relied on the collateral blood supply from ligamentum teres and superior epigastric collaterals, something that proved advantageous both in the survival of the umbilicus on the long run despite cutting off the main blood supply, and, the removal of further excess adipocutaneous tissue for a better aesthetic outcome
Revenge porn in the Italian regulatory and social context: new crime or old blackmail?
Full text linkRevenge porn is the online publication on websites of explicit photographs or videos taken in intimate moments without the person’s consent. It is a new form of gender-based violence, as the majority of victims are women. This phenomenon has been growing in recent years due to the increase in popularity and spread of social networks. Since the start of social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the problem has undoubtedly become more serious. The most affected groups are women and adolescents. Phenomena such as revenge porn and cyber-bullying are aberrant aspects of online relationships. Although different in their specificity, they have many elements in common, which, unfortunately, in some cases, have led to dramatic out-comes, pushing the victims to suicide. This contribution aims at fully framing the issue from a social point of view and outlining its legal characteristics with reference to the European and Italian legal framework, starting from the analysis of the data presented within the report presented on 24 November 2020 by the Italian Ministry of Justice, containing a statistical analysis of the impact in terms of diffusion of the revenge porn phenomenon one year after the entry into force of the law of 19 July 2019 (the so-called “Codice Rosso”), which introduced the specific crime of unlawful dissemination of sexually explicit images or videos. © 2022 Author(s)
Critical reflections and solutions for health problems of Italian refugees
Full text linkAbstract
Background. In recent years, the flow of migrants and refugees to
EU nations is recorded in high amounts. By travelling through ships
or nonhygienic boats most of them tend to have a high amount of risk
in getting health issues. However, getting proper healthcare is a fundamental human right since refugees or migrants can actively contribute
to the development of host countries and their native nationalities.
Therefore, in this paper, we try to explore the common diseases that
happened to migrants who travel to Italy in recent years.
Methods. We analyzed the Italian refugees’ data provided by
the Italian health ministry in the years 2013-16, and explore the key
pathologies and their medical conditions. All the data correctly classified and analyzed depending on their age, gender, and pathologies
that they posses
Results. From 2013 to 2016, in total, 455,912 refugees were travelled into Italy. 74% male, 12% female, and 14% of minor refugees
were recorded during this period. In pathologies, rashes or skin diseases (scabies) were happening in often and after scabies pregnancy
issues were observed on a considerable scale. Similarly, brain-related
problems and surgeries were recorded at the lowest in number
Conclusion. In 2015, about 12% of all workers in the EU nationalities were migrants. As of this, it is highly recommended in the provision
of proper health facilities to them without making any judgments. This
paper is aiming to provide prevention methodologies that are in high
demand for health care of refugees and migrants. Clin Ter 2021; 172
(2):158-162. doi: 10.7417/CT.2021.2304
Key words: Refugees and Migrants, Unhealthy ships, Pathologies,
Sea rescue procedures, Healthcare provisio
Effects of choline containing phospholipids on the neurovascular unit: A review
Full text linkThe roles of choline and of choline-containing phospholipids (CCPLs) on the maintenance and progress of neurovascular unit (NVU) integrity are analyzed. NVU is composed of neurons, glial and vascular cells ensuring the correct homeostasis of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and indirectly the function of the central nervous system. The CCPLs phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline), choline alphoscerate or α-glyceryl-phosphorylcholine (α-GPC) contribute to the modulation of the physiology of the NVU cells. A loss of CCPLs contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease. Our study has characterized the cellular components of the NVU and has reviewed the effect of lecithin, of CDP-choline and α-GPC documented in preclinical studies and in limited clinical trials on these compounds. The interesting results obtained with some CCPLs, in particular with α-GPC, probably would justify reconsideration of the most promising molecules in larger attentively controlled studies. This can also contribute to better define the role of the NVU in the pathophysiology of brain disorders characterized by vascular impairment
Analysis of the interaction of calcitriol with the disulfide isomerase ERp57
Full text linkCalcitriol, the active form of vitamin D3, can regulate the gene expression through the binding to
the nuclear receptor VDR, but it can also display nongenomic actions, acting through a membrane- associated receptor, which has been discovered as the disul de isomerase ERp57. The aim of our research is to identify the binding sites for calcitriol in ERp57 and to analyze their interaction. We
rst studied the interaction through bioinformatics and uorimetric analyses. Subsequently, we focused on two protein mutants containing the predicted interaction domains with calcitriol: abb’- ERp57, containing the rst three domains, and a’-ERp57, the fourth domain only. To consolidate the achievements we used the calorimetric approach to the whole protein and its mutants. Our results allow us to hypothesize that the interaction with the a’ domain contributes to a greater extent than the other potential binding sites to the dissociation constant, calculated as a Kd of about 10−9 M
Fourth Generation of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists: A Review on the Latest Insights
No full textAbstract
Background: Over the past few years, an emerging number of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) entered the illicit market. NPSs are designed to resemble the effects of classical drugs of abuse, reinforcing their effects and duration. Among the most abused NPS, synthetic cannabinoids are cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) that mimic the effect of the main psychotropic phytocannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Methods: We herein reviewed the international literature to provide available information on the newest SCRAs generation. Results: Compared to the previous SCRAs generations, the structures of the last generation result in increased affinity for and efficacy at cannabinoid CB1 receptors, which are thought to be mainly responsible for the psy-choactive effects of THC and its analogues. Accordingly, these more potent cannabimimetic effects may increase the number of adverse reactions such as neurological disorders (e.g., psychosis, agitation, irritability, paranoia, confusion, and anxiety), psychiatric episodes (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, self-harm), other physical conditions (e.g., tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmia, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever) and deaths. In the last decade, more than a hundred SCRAs from different chemical classes emerged on the illicit web mar-ket. SCRAs have been thoroughly studied: they were physico-chemically characterized, and pharmaco-toxico-logical characteristics were investigated. The last SCRAs generations include increasingly potent and toxic com-pounds, posing a potential health threat to consumers. Conclusion: From November 2017 to February 2021, at least 20 new “fourth-generation” SCRAs were formal-ly reported to international drug agencies. Our understanding of the neurotoxicity of these compounds is still limited due to the lack of global data, but their potency and their toxicity are likely higher than those of the previous generations. © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers
- …
