1
|
Conti E, Menazzi S, Finkelsteyn AM, Figuerola MDL. Late-onset familial amyloidosis polyneuropathy associated with c.186G>C in transthyretin. Rev Fac Cien Med Univ Nac Cordoba 2024; 81:167-177. [PMID: 38537102 PMCID: PMC11110657 DOI: 10.31053/1853.0605.v81.n1.40992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The most common form of hereditary amyloidosis is associated with variants of transthyretin (TTR). Familial amyloidosis polyneuropathy associated with variants of TTR (FAP-TTR) is an infrequent, multisystemic disease, with predominant involvement of the peripheral nervous system. More than 130 pathogenic variants have been identified so far and most of them are amyloidogenic, being Val30Met the most frequently described. CASE REPORT A 74 year-old male was evaluated for progressive decreased sensitivity and associated loss of strength in four limbs in the previous two years, needing assistance for walking. Areflexia, bilateral tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius atrophy, bilateral anesthesia and apalesthesia were found in lower limbs. Bilateral hypoesthesia was reported in upper limbs. No painful dysesthesia, hyperalgesia or allodynia were found. DNA sequencing of the TTR gene led to the detection of the variant c.186G>C in heterozygous state. The resulting variant (Glu62Asp), located in the critical functional domain, has not been published before. CONCLUSION The importance of considering late onset, sporadic FAP-TTR as a differential diagnosis of cryptogenic polyneuropathy is highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Conti
- Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Buenos Aires. Argentina.
| | - Sebastián Menazzi
- División Genética, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Buenos Aires. Argentina.
| | - Ana Mariel Finkelsteyn
- División Neurología, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Buenos Aires. Argentina.
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mora‐Carrera E, Stubbs RL, Potente G, Yousefi N, Keller B, de Vos JM, Szövényi P, Conti E. Genomic analyses elucidate S-locus evolution in response to intra-specific losses of distyly in Primula vulgaris. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10940. [PMID: 38516570 PMCID: PMC10955462 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Distyly, a floral dimorphism that promotes outcrossing, is controlled by a hemizygous genomic region known as the S-locus. Disruptions of genes within the S-locus are responsible for the loss of distyly and the emergence of homostyly, a floral monomorphism that favors selfing. Using whole-genome resequencing data of distylous and homostylous individuals from populations of Primula vulgaris and leveraging high-quality reference genomes of Primula we tested, for the first time, predictions about the evolutionary consequences of transitions to selfing on S-genes. Our results reveal a previously undetected structural rearrangement in CYPᵀ associated with the shift to homostyly and confirm previously reported, homostyle-specific, loss-of-function mutations in the exons of the S-gene CYPᵀ. We also discovered that the promoter and intronic regions of CYPᵀ in distylous and homostylous individuals are conserved, suggesting that down-regulation of CYPᵀ via mutations in its promoter and intronic regions is not a cause of the shift to homostyly. Furthermore, we found that hemizygosity is associated with reduced genetic diversity in S-genes compared with their paralogs outside the S-locus. Additionally, the shift to homostyly lowers genetic diversity in both the S-genes and their paralogs, as expected in primarily selfing plants. Finally, we tested, for the first time, long-standing theoretical models of changes in S-locus genotypes during early stages of the transition to homostyly, supporting the assumption that two copies of the S-locus might reduce homostyle fitness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E. Mora‐Carrera
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary BotanyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - R. L. Stubbs
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary BotanyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - G. Potente
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary BotanyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - N. Yousefi
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary BotanyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - B. Keller
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary BotanyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - J. M. de Vos
- Department of Environmental Sciences – BotanyUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - P. Szövényi
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary BotanyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - E. Conti
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary BotanyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Scaffei E, Mazziotti R, Conti E, Costanzo V, Calderoni S, Stoccoro A, Carmassi C, Tancredi R, Baroncelli L, Battini R. A Potential Biomarker of Brain Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot fNIRS Study in Female Preschoolers. Brain Sci 2023; 13:951. [PMID: 37371429 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13060951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a neurodevelopmental condition whose detection still remains challenging in young females due to the heterogeneity of the behavioral phenotype and the capacity of camouflage. The availability of quantitative biomarkers to assess brain function may support in the assessment of ASD. Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive and flexible tool that quantifies cortical hemodynamic responses (HDR) that can be easily employed to describe brain activity. Since the study of the visual phenotype is a paradigmatic model to evaluate cerebral processing in many neurodevelopmental conditions, we hypothesized that visually-evoked HDR (vHDR) might represent a potential biomarker in ASD females. We performed a case-control study comparing vHDR in a cohort of high-functioning preschooler females with ASD (fASD) and sex/age matched peers. We demonstrated the feasibility of visual fNIRS measurements in fASD, and the possibility to discriminate between fASD and typical subjects using different signal features, such as the amplitude and lateralization of vHDR. Moreover, the level of response lateralization was correlated to the severity of autistic traits. These results corroborate the cruciality of sensory symptoms in ASD, paving the way for the validation of the fNIRS analytical tool for diagnosis and treatment outcome monitoring in the ASD population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Scaffei
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Mazziotti
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Eugenia Conti
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Costanzo
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Baroncelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Stoccoro A, Conti E, Scaffei E, Calderoni S, Coppedè F, Migliore L, Battini R. DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Young Children with Idiopathic Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119138. [PMID: 37298088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition, the underlying pathological mechanisms of which are not yet completely understood. Although several genetic and genomic alterations have been linked to ASD, for the majority of ASD patients, the cause remains unknown, and the condition likely arises due to complex interactions between low-risk genes and environmental factors. There is increasing evidence that epigenetic mechanisms that are highly sensitive to environmental factors and influence gene function without altering the DNA sequence, particularly aberrant DNA methylation, are involved in ASD pathogenesis. This systematic review aimed to update the clinical application of DNA methylation investigations in children with idiopathic ASD, investigating its potential application in clinical settings. To this end, a literature search was performed on different scientific databases using a combination of terms related to the association between peripheral DNA methylation and young children with idiopathic ASD; this search led to the identification of 18 articles. In the selected studies, DNA methylation is investigated in peripheral blood or saliva samples, at both gene-specific and genome-wide levels. The results obtained suggest that peripheral DNA methylation could represent a promising methodology in ASD biomarker research, although further studies are needed to develop DNA-methylation-based clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Scaffei
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kaldra M, Träger S, Reinula I, Keller B, Conti E, Aavik T. Skewed morph ratios lead to lower genetic diversity of the heterostylous Primula veris in fragmented grasslands. Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2023. [PMID: 37096415 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Populations of heterostylous plant species are ideally composed of equal frequencies of two (distylous) or three (tristylous) morphologically different floral morphs. Intra-morph incompatibility helps to avoid inbreeding and to maintain genetic diversity, supporting plant fitness and long-term viability. Habitat fragmentation can lead to skewed morph ratios and thereby reduce the abundance of compatible mates. This, in turn, can result in a loss of genetic diversity. We tested whether the genetic diversity of heterostylous plants is affected by morph ratio bias using populations of the distylous grassland plant Primula veris in recently fragmented grasslands. We recorded morph frequencies and population sizes in 30 study populations of P. veris on two Estonian islands characterised by different degrees of habitat fragmentation. Examining variation of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and heterostyly-specific genetic markers, we quantified overall and morph-specific genetic diversity and differentiation in these populations. Morph frequencies deviated more in smaller populations. Skewed morph ratios had a negative effect on the genetic diversity of P. veris in more fragmented grasslands. In the populations of better-connected grassland system, genetic differentiation among S-morphs was higher than among L-morphs. Our study shows that deviations from morph balance are stronger in small populations and have a negative impact on the genetic diversity of the distylous plant P. veris. Together with the direct negative effects of habitat loss and decreased population size on the genetic diversity of plants, morph ratio bias may intensify the process of genetic erosion, thus exacerbating the local extinction of heterostylous species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Kaldra
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - S Träger
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - I Reinula
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - B Keller
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - E Conti
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - T Aavik
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Marinella G, Conti E, Buchignani B, Sgherri G, Pasquariello R, Giordano F, Cristofani P, Battini R, Battaglia A. Further characterization of NFIB-associated phenotypes: Report of two new individuals. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:540-545. [PMID: 36321570 PMCID: PMC10091694 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear Factor I B (NFIB) haploinsufficiency has recently been identified as a cause of intellectual disability (ID) and macrocephaly. Here we report on two new individuals carrying a microdeletion in the chromosomal region 9p23-p22.3 containing NFIB. The first is a 7-year 9-month old boy with developmental delays, ID, definite facial anomalies, and brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging findings including periventricular nodular heterotopia, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, arachnoid cyst in the left middle cranial fossa, syringomyelia in the thoracic spinal cord and distal tract of the conus medullaris, and a stretched appearance of the filum terminale. The second is a 32-year-old lady (the proband' mother) with dysmorphic features, and a history of learning disability, hypothyroidism, poor growth, left inguinal hernia, and panic attacks. Her brain magnetic resonance imaging findings include a dysmorphic corpus callosum, and a small cyst in the left choroidal fissure that marks the hippocampal head. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization identified, in both, a 232 Kb interstitial deletion at 9p23p22.3 including several exons of NFIB and no other known genes. Our two individuals add to the knowledge of this rare disorder through the addition of new brain and spinal cord MRI findings and dysmorphic features. We propose that NFIB haploinsufficiency causes a clinically recognizable malformation-ID syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Marinella
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Bianca Buchignani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giada Sgherri
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Flavio Giordano
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Cristofani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Agatino Battaglia
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Siena G, Campobasso D, Chiodini P, Conti E, Franzoso F, Maruzzi D, Viola L, Varvello F, Ferrari G, Micali S, Morselli S, Cindolo L. Water vapour intraprostatic injection (rezum procedure) outcomes: results from prospective multicentric italian study. EUR UROL SUPPL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-1683(22)01066-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
|
8
|
Conti E, Turi M, Craig F. Editorial: Autism spectrum disorder within neurodevelopmental disorders: Catching heterogeneity, specificity, and comorbidity in clinical phenotypes and neurobiological bases. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:958650. [PMID: 35992928 PMCID: PMC9382353 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.958650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Conti
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, ASL Toscana Centro, Empoli, Italy
| | - Marco Turi
- Fondazione Stella Maris Mediterraneo Onlus, Matera, Italy
- *Correspondence: Marco Turi
| | - Francesco Craig
- Department of Cultures, Education and Society, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea—Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Brindisi, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Marchi C, Adorni M, Conti E, Tremolizzo L, Calabresi L, Bernini F, Zimetti F. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum HDL cholesterol efflux capacity is impaired in neurodegenerative disorders. Atherosclerosis 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.06.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
10
|
Turri M, Pavanello C, Gastoldi F, Conti E, Emide D, Barbiroli A, Tremolizzo L, Calabresi L. Lipoprotein metabolism in Alzheimer’s disease: CSF and plasma HDL characterization in an Italian cohort. Atherosclerosis 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.06.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
|
11
|
Conti E, Scaffei E, Bosetti C, Marchi V, Costanzo V, Dell’Oste V, Mazziotti R, Dell’Osso L, Carmassi C, Muratori F, Baroncelli L, Calderoni S, Battini R. Looking for “fNIRS Signature” in Autism Spectrum: A Systematic Review Starting From Preschoolers. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:785993. [PMID: 35341016 PMCID: PMC8948464 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.785993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) can provide an essential bridge between our current understanding of neural circuit organization and cortical activity in the developing brain. Indeed, fNIRS allows studying brain functions through the measurement of neurovascular coupling that links neural activity to subsequent changes in cerebral blood flow and hemoglobin oxygenation levels. While the literature offers a multitude of fNIRS applications to typical development, only recently this tool has been extended to the study of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The exponential rise of scientific publications on this topic during the last years reflects the interest to identify a “fNIRS signature” as a biomarker of high translational value to support both early clinical diagnosis and treatment outcome. The purpose of this systematic review is to describe the updating clinical applications of fNIRS in NDDs, with a specific focus on preschool population. Starting from this rationale, a systematic search was conducted for relevant studies in different scientific databases (Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science) resulting in 13 published articles. In these studies, fNIRS was applied in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or infants at high risk of developing ASD. Both functional connectivity in resting-state conditions and task-evoked brain activation using multiple experimental paradigms were used in the selected investigations, suggesting that fNIRS might be considered a promising method for identifying early quantitative biomarkers in the autism field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Scaffei
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- *Correspondence: Elena Scaffei,
| | - Chiara Bosetti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Viviana Marchi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Costanzo
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valerio Dell’Oste
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Mazziotti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Liliana Dell’Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Campobasso D, Siena G, Chiodini P, Conti E, Franzoso F, Maruzzi D, Martinelli E, Varvello F, De Nunzio C, Autorino R, Ferrari G, Cindolo L. Urinary and sexual outcomes after water vapour intraprostatic injection (Rezum procedure): Results from prospective multicentric Italian study. Eur Urol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0302-2838(22)00801-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
|
13
|
Carretero M, Sáez MS, Posadas-Martínez ML, Aguirre MA, Sorroche P, Negro A, Calandra CR, Salutto V, Lautre A, Conti E, León-Cejas L, Reisin R, Nucifora EM, Rugiero M. [Practice guideline for the treatment of familial amyloid polyneuropathy]. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 82:262-274. [PMID: 35417391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This clinical practice guideline for the treatment of familial amyloid polyneuropathy is based on the best available evidence of clinical effectiveness. A list of questions was generated with a PICO format focused on the effectiveness and safety of the treatment of familial amyloid polyneuropathy. The search was carried out in PubMed, Cochrane and Epistemonikos. The levels of evidence and grades of recommendation were based on the GRADE system. Recommendations were graded according to their direction and their strength and were evaluated with the GLIA tool for their implementation. In patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy and stage I and II neuropathy, it is suggested: inotersen 300 mg subcutaneous weekly or patisirán 0.3 mg/kg intravenously once every 3 weeks, since they probably stabilize or slow the progression of neuropathy and worsening quality of life (moderate quality of evidence; strength of recommendation weak). In patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy and stage I neuropathy, treatment with tafamidis 20 mg orally, once a day, is suggested, as it could slow the progression of neuropathy and worsen quality of life (low quality of evidence; strength of recommendation weak). In patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy and symptomatic neuropathy and in the absence of other treatments with approved efficacy, treatment with oral diflunisal 250 mg twice daily is suggested, as it could prevent the progression of neuropathy (quality evidence low; strength of recommendation weak).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelina Carretero
- Servicio de Clínica Médica, área de Investigación en Medicina Interna, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail:
| | - María S Sáez
- Laboratorio Central, Sección Proteínas, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - María A Aguirre
- Servicio de Clínica Médica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Sorroche
- Laboratorio Central, Sección Proteínas, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina Negro
- Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristian R Calandra
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital de Alta Complejidad El Cruce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria Salutto
- División de Neurología, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas Alfredo Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Lautre
- Servicio de Neurología, Sección de Neurofisiología, FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eugenia Conti
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Británico, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Ricardo Reisin
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Británico, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elsa M Nucifora
- Servicio de Clínica Médica, Sección de Hematología, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Rugiero
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Luca-Pozner V, Nischwitz SP, Conti E, Lipa G, Ghezal S, Luze H, Funk M, Remy H, Qassemyar Q. The use of a novel burn dressing out of bacterial nanocellulose compared to the French standard of care in paediatric 2nd degree burns - A retrospective analysis. Burns 2021; 48:1472-1480. [PMID: 34924226 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2021.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Paediatric burn care is a delicate discipline which benefits from special attention. Despite being highly effective, the current standard of care for second degree burns in the largest paediatric burn center in France - exposure to infrared light - involves long hospital stays, straining economic and professional resources, especially in times of a pandemic. The present study investigated this standard of care and compared it to the use of a bacterial nanocellulose dressing. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of two groups has been performed: the control group assessed thirty consecutive children treated with the standard of care, and the intervention group assessed thirty consecutive children treated with the bacterial nanocellulose dressing. Parameters evaluated were: healed wounds, additional treatments, rate of infections, hospital length of stay, pain experience and overall satisfaction. RESULTS The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of age and TBSA. A significant reduction in hospital length of stay (p < .001) and pain experience (p < .001) could be observed. In terms of healed wounds, additional treatments and infections, the two groups were equally matched (p > .05) with satisfactory results in both groups. Tendencies towards better results could be seen in the intervention group. CONCLUSION The use of bacterial nanocellulose wound dressings is an important tool in the armamentarium of today's burn surgeons. Satisfying results were achieved, ameliorating burn care for children. Future studies are indicated to further support its value and assess the economic impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Luca-Pozner
- Armand Trousseau Hospital, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 28 Av du Dr Arnold Netter, Paris, France; Sorbonne University, 91-105 Boulevard de l'Hopital, Paris, France
| | - S P Nischwitz
- COREMED - Cooperative Centre for Regenerative Medicine, JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Graz, Austria; Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - E Conti
- Armand Trousseau Hospital, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 28 Av du Dr Arnold Netter, Paris, France
| | - G Lipa
- Armand Trousseau Hospital, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 28 Av du Dr Arnold Netter, Paris, France
| | - S Ghezal
- Armand Trousseau Hospital, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 28 Av du Dr Arnold Netter, Paris, France
| | - H Luze
- COREMED - Cooperative Centre for Regenerative Medicine, JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Graz, Austria; Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - M Funk
- EVOMEDIS GmbH, Graz, Austria
| | - H Remy
- Armand Trousseau Hospital, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 28 Av du Dr Arnold Netter, Paris, France
| | - Q Qassemyar
- Armand Trousseau Hospital, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 28 Av du Dr Arnold Netter, Paris, France; Sorbonne University, 91-105 Boulevard de l'Hopital, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sesso G, Bonaventura E, Buchignani B, Della Vecchia S, Fedi C, Gazzillo M, Micomonaco J, Salvati A, Conti E, Cioni G, Muratori F, Masi G, Milone A, Battini R. Parental Distress in the Time of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study on Pediatric Patients with Neuropsychiatric Conditions during Lockdown. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18157902. [PMID: 34360193 PMCID: PMC8345642 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has had adverse psychological effects on children and parents. While parenting is essential for positive development, increased parental distress has interfered with children’s wellbeing. In our study, we aimed to identify the predictors of parental distress in families of children with neuropsychiatric disorders during lockdown. Seventy-seven parents of children with neuropsychiatric disorders were asked to fill three online questionnaires (a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Parental-Stress-Index (PSI-4-SF) to explore the relationship between parental distress, emotional/behavioral problems in children and quarantine-related factors through univariate analyses and multiple mediation models. Significant positive associations between CBCL-internalizing-problems and all PSI-4-SF subscales, and between CBCL-externalizing-problems and “Difficult Child” subscales were found. “Parent–Child Dysfunctional Interaction” subscale and teachers–child relationship quality resulted negatively associated, as well as the “Difficult Child” subscale and peers–child relationship quality. The effect of teachers–child relationship quality on “Parent–Child Dysfunctional Interaction” was mediated by children internalizing problems, while the effect of peers–child relationship quality on “Difficult Child” by the child internalizing/externalizing problems. Internalizing problems in children with neuropsychiatric disorders were among the strongest predictors of parental stress during lockdown, mediating the indirect effects of quarantine-related factors, thus suggesting the importance of their detection during and after emergency situations to provide assistance and reduce parenting pressure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Sesso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (G.C.); (F.M.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Eleonora Bonaventura
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (G.C.); (F.M.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Bianca Buchignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (G.C.); (F.M.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Stefania Della Vecchia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (G.C.); (F.M.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Caterina Fedi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (G.C.); (F.M.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Marisa Gazzillo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (G.C.); (F.M.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Jessica Micomonaco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (G.C.); (F.M.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrea Salvati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (G.C.); (F.M.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (G.C.); (F.M.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Filippo Muratori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (G.C.); (F.M.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Gabriele Masi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Annarita Milone
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (G.C.); (F.M.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Clausi M, Leone D, Strano A, Lizio A, Rappazzo G, Mulder C, Conti E. Effects of tetracycline on entomopathogenic nematodes and their bacterial symbionts. Ecotoxicology 2021; 30:705-710. [PMID: 33761023 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-021-02383-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Among the new contaminants relevant for environment, one of the most significant roles is played by pharmaceuticals like antibiotic products for either human or veterinary use. Their presence could cause serious damage to bacteria and microfauna, like nematodes. Within the widely investigated nematodes, very little is known about the interaction between antibiotics and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). EPNs have been used for biological control of crops, due to their ability to penetrate arthropod pests and kill their hosts thanks to a complex symbiotic mechanism with specific gram-negative bacteria. Tetracycline is an antibiotic used in human and veterinary medicine, both for therapeutic purposes and for the growth of livestock. Since its action against gram-negative bacteria is documented, we verified in this study the survival, growth and pathogenicity of two species of EPNs, Steinernema vulcanicum and S. feltiae. All tests were performed with tetracycline in 1% ethanol solution and up to 300 mg/L. Apparently, this incubation did not harm the vitality of EPNs. Both S. vulcanicum as S. feltiae recovered their vitality and entomopathogenic ability after 48 h. Moreover, the latter EPN species did not grow nor reproduce in the hemolymph of the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella, and their endosymbionts did not grow on MacConkey Agar. Our results suggest that the first EPN species has always retained all its abilities and that endosymbionts have acquired resistance to tetracycline, while experiments with the second EPN species provided some contrasting results in time that will require further investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Clausi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Sez. Biologia Animale "M. La Greca", Università degli Studi di Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124, Catania, Italy
| | - D Leone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Sez. Biologia Animale "M. La Greca", Università degli Studi di Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124, Catania, Italy
| | - A Strano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Sez. Biologia Animale "M. La Greca", Università degli Studi di Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124, Catania, Italy
| | - A Lizio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Sez. Biologia Animale "M. La Greca", Università degli Studi di Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124, Catania, Italy
| | - G Rappazzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Sez. Biologia Animale "M. La Greca", Università degli Studi di Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124, Catania, Italy
| | - C Mulder
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Sez. Biologia Animale "M. La Greca", Università degli Studi di Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124, Catania, Italy
| | - E Conti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Sez. Biologia Animale "M. La Greca", Università degli Studi di Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124, Catania, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Fazzolari B, Jannelli G, Conti E, Delitala A, Tessitore E, Brunori A. Clinical and radiological outcome after minimally invasive surgical approach for type II unstable odontoid fractures. Neurochirurgie 2020; 67:350-357. [PMID: 33338497 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuchi.2020.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anterior odontoid screw fixation is a valid surgical option for unstable odontoid fractures, as type II Anderson D'Alonzo fractures. Grauer further divided type II fractures in subtypes according to the fracture line, providing recommendations for implementation of screw fixation techniques. OBJECTIVE Primary endpoint of our study is to evaluate the postoperative results of minimally invasive odontoid screw insertion in terms of outcome, fusion rate and stability of cranio-cervical junction. Secondary endpoint was to investigate the influence of age or fractures' features on outcome and fusion rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS We report the clinical and radiological features of 32 patients harbouring unstable type II fractures operated by a minimally invasive odontoid screw insertion technique. All patients underwent a high resolution multiplanar CT in order to assess fracture features according to Grauer's classification; the integrity of ligaments was investigated by MRI. In addition, a preoperative neurological performance (modified Rankin Scale, mRS) was evaluated for patients either directly or interviewing their families. Follow-up at one, three and six months and 1 year have been performed (averaging 13.5 months) by cervical CT (fusion rate and stability) and mRS update. In order to investigate the influence of age on postoperative neurological performance, two groups (≤50 yrs, 9 pts/>50 yrs, 23 pts) were separately considered and analysed. Overall, we observed no surgery related complications. We also analysed the fusion rate and its correlation with patient age and Grauer's subtype of fracture. RESULTS At last available clinical follow-up, the preoperative performance was preserved (mRS 0/1: 24, 75%; mRS 2-4: 9, 15%) although with slight reduction of intact patients (mRS 0: 22 vs. 19; 71.8 vs. 59.3%). Younger patients (≤50 yrs) fared significantly better than older ones, achieving a good clinical outcome (mRS 0/1) in 100% vs. 69.5% (9/9 vs. 16/23 pts). Statistical analysis showed a fair correlation between age and outcome. Other factors such as sex and Grauer's type did not influence significantly the clinical outcome. Nine patients did not complete a full radiological follow-up and were therefore excluded from analysis of radiological outcome. Among the remaining 23 patients, only 25% of those who were followed three months or less showed fusion; conversely, all patients who have been examined from 6 to 48 months fused. Among the non-union patients, two underwent a second surgery by posterior approach. CONCLUSIONS In our recent experience, the minimally invasive AOSF proved safe and effective in treating odontoid peg fractures. Selection based on Grauer's type is mandatory to achieve best results. While in the elderly, an anterior approach is well accepted as the first choice treatment, we recommend that this option should be offered as a suitable alternative to Halo or orthosis also in younger patients since it provides prompt, excellent clinical outcome and high fusion rate especially in this age group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Fazzolari
- Neurosurgical Unit, San Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy.
| | - G Jannelli
- Division of Neurosurgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - E Conti
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Rome, Italy.
| | - A Delitala
- Neurosurgical Unit, San Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy.
| | - E Tessitore
- Division of Neurosurgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - A Brunori
- Neurosurgical Unit, San Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Conti E, Retico A, Palumbo L, Spera G, Bosco P, Biagi L, Fiori S, Tosetti M, Cipriani P, Cioni G, Muratori F, Chilosi A, Calderoni S. Autism Spectrum Disorder and Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Early Language-Related Hallmarks across Structural MRI Study. J Pers Med 2020; 10:E275. [PMID: 33322765 PMCID: PMC7768516 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10040275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) are developmental disorders with distinct diagnostic criteria and different epidemiology. However, a common genetic background as well as overlapping clinical features between ASD and CAS have been recently reported. To date, brain structural language-related abnormalities have been detected in both the conditions, but no study directly compared young children with ASD, CAS and typical development (TD). In the current work, we aim: (i) to test the hypothesis that ASD and CAS display neurostructural differences in comparison with TD through morphometric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-based measures (ASD vs. TD and CAS vs. TD); (ii) to investigate early possible disease-specific brain structural patterns in the two clinical groups (ASD vs. CAS); (iii) to evaluate predictive power of machine-learning (ML) techniques in differentiating the three samples (ASD, CAS, TD). We retrospectively analyzed the T1-weighted brain MRI scans of 68 children (age range: 34-74 months) grouped into three cohorts: (1) 26 children with ASD (mean age ± standard deviation: 56 ± 11 months); (2) 24 children with CAS (57 ± 10 months); (3) 18 children with TD (55 ± 13 months). Furthermore, a ML analysis based on a linear-kernel Support Vector Machine (SVM) was performed. All but one brain structures displayed significant higher volumes in both ASD and CAS children than TD peers. Specifically, ASD alterations involved fronto-temporal regions together with basal ganglia and cerebellum, while CAS alterations are more focused and shifted to frontal regions, suggesting a possible speech-related anomalies distribution. Caudate, superior temporal and hippocampus volumes directly distinguished the two conditions in terms of greater values in ASD compared to CAS. The ML analysis identified significant differences in brain features between ASD and TD children, whereas only some trends in the ML classification capability were detected in CAS as compared to TD peers. Similarly, the MRI structural underpinnings of two clinical groups were not significantly different when evaluated with linear-kernel SVM. Our results may represent the first step towards understanding shared and specific neural substrate in ASD and CAS conditions, which subsequently may contribute to early differential diagnosis and tailoring specific early intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Conti
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.); (M.T.); (P.C.); (G.C.); (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessandra Retico
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Pisa Division, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (A.R.); (L.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Letizia Palumbo
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Pisa Division, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (A.R.); (L.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Giovanna Spera
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Pisa Division, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (A.R.); (L.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Paolo Bosco
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.); (M.T.); (P.C.); (G.C.); (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Laura Biagi
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.); (M.T.); (P.C.); (G.C.); (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Simona Fiori
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.); (M.T.); (P.C.); (G.C.); (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Michela Tosetti
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.); (M.T.); (P.C.); (G.C.); (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Paola Cipriani
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.); (M.T.); (P.C.); (G.C.); (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.); (M.T.); (P.C.); (G.C.); (F.M.); (A.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.); (M.T.); (P.C.); (G.C.); (F.M.); (A.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Chilosi
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.); (M.T.); (P.C.); (G.C.); (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (P.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.); (M.T.); (P.C.); (G.C.); (F.M.); (A.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Conti E, Sgandurra G, De Nicola G, Biagioni T, Boldrini S, Bonaventura E, Buchignani B, Della Vecchia S, Falcone F, Fedi C, Gazzillo M, Marinella G, Mazzullo C, Micomonaco J, Pantalone G, Salvati A, Sesso G, Simonelli V, Tolomei G, Troiano I, Cioni G, Masi G, Muratori F, Milone A, Battini R. Behavioural and Emotional Changes during COVID-19 Lockdown in an Italian Paediatric Population with Neurologic and Psychiatric Disorders. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10120918. [PMID: 33260987 PMCID: PMC7760933 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
On 11 March 2020, a national lockdown was imposed by the Italian government to contain the spread of COVID19 disease. This is an observational longitudinal study conducted at Fondazione Stella Maris (FSM), Italy to investigate lockdown-related emotional and behavioural changes in paediatric neuropsychiatric population. Families having children (1.5-18 years) with neuropsychiatric disorders referred to FSM have been contacted and proposed to fulfil two online questionnaires (General questionnaire and Child Behaviour Check List (CBCL)) to (i) compare (paired two-sample t-tests) the CBCL scores during lockdown with previous ones, and (ii) investigate the influence (multiple linear regression models) of variables such as age, diagnosis grouping (neurological, neurodevelopmental, emotional, and behavioural disorders) and financial hardship. One hundred and forty-one parents fulfilled the questionnaires. Anxiety and somatic problems increased in 1.5-5 years subpopulation, while obsessive-compulsive, post-traumatic and thought problems increased in 6-18 years subpopulation. In the regression models, younger age in the 1.5-5 years subpopulation resulted as "protective" while financial hardship experienced by families during lockdown was related to psychiatric symptoms increasing in the 6-18 years subpopulation. Some considerations, based on first clinical impressions, are provided in text together with comments in relation to previous and emerging literature on the topic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Conti
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.S.); (G.C.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Giuseppina Sgandurra
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.S.); (G.C.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | | | - Tommaso Biagioni
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Silvia Boldrini
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Eleonora Bonaventura
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Bianca Buchignani
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Stefania Della Vecchia
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Francesca Falcone
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Caterina Fedi
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Marisa Gazzillo
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Gemma Marinella
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Cristina Mazzullo
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Jessica Micomonaco
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Gloria Pantalone
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Andrea Salvati
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Gianluca Sesso
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Valerio Simonelli
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Greta Tolomei
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Irene Troiano
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.S.); (G.C.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Gabriele Masi
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.S.); (G.C.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.S.); (G.C.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Annarita Milone
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.S.); (G.C.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (R.B.); Tel.: +39-050-886-299 (A.M.)
| | - Roberta Battini
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.C.); (G.S.); (G.C.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
- Department of Clinical ad Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.B.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (S.D.V.); (F.F.); (C.F.); (M.G.); (G.M.); (C.M.); (J.M.); (G.P.); (A.S.); (G.S.); (V.S.); (G.T.); (I.T.)
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (R.B.); Tel.: +39-050-886-299 (A.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Capogrosso P, Bettocchi C, Colombo F, Liguori G, Fiordelise S, Vitarelli A, Silvani M, Mondaini N, Paradiso M, Ceruti C, Utizi L, Varvello F, Palumbo F, Avolio A, Antonini G, Pozza D, Franco G, Bitelli M, Conti E, Caraceni E, Pescatori E, Salonia A, Palmieri A, Dehò F. Risk of unfavorable outcomes after penile prosthesis implantation – results from a national registry (INSIST-ED). EUR UROL SUPPL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-1683(20)35344-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
|
21
|
Capogrosso P, Pescatori E, Bettocchi C, Colombo F, Liguori G, Fiordelise S, Vitarelli A, Silvani M, Mondaini N, Paradiso M, Ceruti C, Varvello F, Palumbo F, Avolio A, Antonini G, Pozza D, Franco G, Bitelli M, Conti E, Caraceni E, Salonia A, Palmieri A, Deho F. Risk of unfavorable outcomes after penile prosthesis implantation – results from a national registry (INSIST-ED). EUR UROL SUPPL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-1683(20)33089-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
|
22
|
Conti E, Chericoni N, Costanzo V, Lasala R, Mancini A, Prosperi M, Tancredi R, Muratori F, Calderoni S, Apicella F. Moving Toward Telehealth Surveillance Services for Toddlers at Risk for Autism During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:565999. [PMID: 33424652 PMCID: PMC7793978 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.565999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 2016, the project "Early Bird Diagnostic Protocol for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)" funded by the Italian Ministry of Health has been operative at IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris (FSM), Pisa (IT), with the main aim of developing early age-specific diagnostic protocols by longitudinally enrolling two different populations at risk for ASD: (i) toddlers with older siblings with ASD (FR) and (ii) toddlers referred by a child psychiatrist or pediatrician for suspected ASD (CR). On January 30, 2020, when the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 136 patients (85 FR; 51 CR; 93 males; 43 females) had been enrolled in the project with 324 completed time points and 64 still missing. Considering both the huge psychological burden on families with toddlers at risk for ASD during the lockdown and the longitudinal studies reporting the positive "surveillance effect" in terms of a better outcome in at-risk toddlers, our priority has been to maintain regular contact and support to enrolled families. To do this, the research team, being authorized for smart-working research activities, has set up a detailed remote surveillance protocol (RSP). The RSP includes three online interviews and one online video registration of parent-child play. In the current community case study, the authors report the telehealth procedure and discuss possible future directions in developing remote assessment and new evaluation modalities for ecological parent-child play video recordings in at-risk populations. Hopefully, the surveillance protocol will further improve our ability to detect risk and activate early tailored intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Natasha Chericoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Costanzo
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Lasala
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alice Mancini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Margherita Prosperi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaella Tancredi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Apicella
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Checchia P, Benettoni M, Bettella G, Conti E, Cossutta L, Furlan M, Gonella F, Klinger J, Montecassiano F, Nebbia G, Pegoraro M, Pesente S, Rigoni Garola A, Urbani M, Viesti G, Vanini S, Zumerle G. INFN muon tomography demonstrator: past and recent results with an eye to near-future activities. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2018; 377:rsta.2018.0065. [PMID: 30530541 PMCID: PMC6335308 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2018.0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A short description of the muon tomography demonstrator at the INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro near Padua, Italy, is given and the principal achievements owing to the data collected at that experimental facility are presented. In particular, the feasibility studies for several applications based on the muon-tomographic technology, within national and European projects, are discussed. The experimental problems and the procedures used to improve the performance are underlined. In addition, new activities and the related detector optimization are illustrated.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Cosmic-ray muography'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Checchia
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - M Benettoni
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - G Bettella
- University of Padova, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - E Conti
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - L Cossutta
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - M Furlan
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
- University of Padova, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - F Gonella
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - J Klinger
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | | | - G Nebbia
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - M Pegoraro
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - S Pesente
- University of Padova, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - A Rigoni Garola
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
- University of Padova, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - M Urbani
- University of Padova, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - G Viesti
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
- University of Padova, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - S Vanini
- University of Padova, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - G Zumerle
- Sezione di Padova, INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
- University of Padova, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
Aims and background The aim of the study was to describe the extent of variability among Italian cancer registries in data managing practices that may affect differences in incidence and possibly in survival estimates. Methods a self-administered questionnaire was sent to each participating registry. The definitions of the disease, of the start point and of the end point of survival computation were investigated. Moreover, information on the proportion of histologic confirmation, of ill-defined sites and of DCO (death certificate only) was also considered. Results There were some differences in cancer registration techniques among Italian cancer registries. As regards disease definition, the most relevant problems arose for urinary bladder. Skin melanoma should also be considered with some caution, due to variability among registries in coding in situ cases. For the CNS and meninges, the proportion of cases that could be differently considered was so limited that no effect on survival is expected. For female breast, colorectum and cervix uteri, the effect of early diagnosis services (which are active only in some areas) may lead to better survival estimates. The variability in incidence date definition was high among registries and sites, but its effect on survival was very limited. There was a wide variability in the proportion of DCOs and of DCIs (initially known from death certificate), which should be considered in survival comparisons. All the registries stated that they carried out an active follow-up of their patients. Conclusions In general, quality standards of the registries are good and allow comparability of survival data. The variability of rules adopted by Italian registries may affect geographic survival differences only in a limited number of cancer sites, so that results should be interpreted with caution.
Collapse
|
25
|
Gatta G, Buiatti E, Conti E, De Lisi V, Falcini F, Federico M, Gafà L, Ponz de Leon M, Vercelli M, Zanetti R. Variations in the Survival of Adult Cancer Patients in Italy. Tumori 2018; 83:497-504. [PMID: 9152470 DOI: 10.1177/030089169708300112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aims As part of the ITACARE project, the present study analyzed and compared population-based data on the survival of adult cancer patients in Italy, according to sex, age, period of diagnosis and geographical area. Methods Nine Italian population-based cancer registries provided data on all their cancer patients (total 90,431 cases) followed for at least 5 years and diagnosed during the period 1978–1989. About 10% of the Italian population is covered by these registries. The data was analyzed by means of a multivariate model. Results The major findings were that there was a general improvement in 5-year relative survival over the study period (from 33% to 39%) and that there were significant differences in survival between different areas of the country, particularly for cancer sites which respond well to treatment. In general, the area covered by the Ragusa (Sicily) registry was characterized by significantly worse survival than other registry populations. Other important findings were that for all malignant cancer sites 5-year relative survival decreased with age from 50% for the youngest age class (15–44 years) to 27% for the oldest age class (75+ years) and that women have a better prognosis for most cancer sites (overall 5-year relative survival in women 48% vs 32% in men). Conclusions The significant regional differences in survival may reflect unequal provision of care, particularly between northern-central Italy and the south. The reasons for the general survival improvement with time are not completely understood, whereas the marked overall sex difference is related to the fact that the commonest cancer in women (breast cancer) is eminently more treatable than the commonest malignancy in men (lung cancer). The unfavorable trend with increasing age may be due to increasing difficulty in applying complete therapy protocols as general health declines, sometimes in relation to an advanced cancer stage at diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Gatta
- Istituto Nazionale per la Cura e lo Studio dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Vassalli L, Pedersini R, Romelli M, Claps M, Fornaro C, Conti E, Tagliani M, Baronchelli A, Ragni D, Lombardi E, Rodella F, Amoroso V, Berruti A, Simoncini EL. Abstract P6-11-19: Efficacy and patient acceptability of the DigniCaP ScalpCooler to prevent hair loss in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Cancer Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs17-p6-11-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Alopecia is a common and distressing adverse effect in breast cancer (BC) patients (pts) receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of this device to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia in early breast cancer patients (EBCP) receiving adjuvant treatment. The quality of life of pts was also evaluated.
Patients and methods: From January to December 2016, a sensor-controlled scalp cooling system (DigniCap:Sysmex Europe GmbH, Norderstedt, Germany) was proposed to a consecutive group of EBCP submitted to adjuvant chemotherapy at the Breast Unit of Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia. Degree of hair loss was assessed by two nurse using Dean's alopecia scale by digital photographs at baseline and each chemotherapy cycle. EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and self-reported visual analogical scale (VAS) of symptoms (anxiety, tone of mood, fatigue, nausea,well-being, activity) were collected at baseline and after the first two cycles of chemotherapy.
Results: 70 pts were enrolled and 49 (70%) completed the chemotherapy plan and were evaluable. Median age was 51 years, 8 pts (16%) received neoadjuvant and 41 pts (84%) adjuvant chemotherapy, 21 (43%) were treated with 4 cycle of chemotherapy (TC, EC or paclitaxel alone), and 28 (57%) with sequential chemotherapy with antracycline and taxane +- trastuzumab. Fifteen pts (30%) stopped the treatment because of loss of hair in 9 pts, for headache in 4 pts and for other problems in 2 pts. At the end of chemotherapy, 13 pts (27%) had no loss of hair (Dean score 0), 25 pts (51%) had a minimal loss of hair (Dean score 1), 9 pts (18%) had a 50% hair loss (Dean score 2), 2 pts (4%) had a 75% hair loss (Dean score 3). No pts reported hair loss more than 75% (Dean score 4). There wasn't a significant difference between mean score value of QLQ-C30 at baseline and after chemotherapy and between the groups with and without hair loss. VAS documented an increase of fatigue and decrease of anxiety from baseline to final evaluation. The side effects presented with the use of DigniCap were the following: headache in 32% of pts and cold feeling in 57 % of pts.
Conclusion: Scalp cooling with cold caps appears to be effective in preventing CIA among the majority of women undergoing treatment chemotherapy. The quality of life did not change in scalp-cooled patients.
Acknowledgments: a thank you to the ESA association that donated Dignicap to Oncology Department.
Citation Format: Vassalli L, Pedersini R, Romelli M, Claps M, Fornaro C, Conti E, Tagliani M, Baronchelli A, Ragni D, Lombardi E, Rodella F, Amoroso V, Berruti A, Simoncini EL. Efficacy and patient acceptability of the DigniCaP ScalpCooler to prevent hair loss in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-11-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - M Claps
- Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - E Conti
- Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | | | | | - D Ragni
- Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Dubrovsky A, Fulgenzi E, De Vito EL, Barroso F, Berardo A, Bettini M, Binaghi D, Calabrese E, Carlés D, Chaves M, Chloca F, Conti E, Corderi J, Di Gennaro F, Ferradás N, Jáuregui A, Lubieniecki F, Mazia C, Medina M, Pirra L, Politei J, Reisin R, Rosa AL, Rugiero M, Salutto V, Schenone A, Sussini M, Taratuto AL. [Argentine consensus on late-onset Pompe's disease]. Medicina (B Aires) 2018; 78 Suppl 1:1-23. [PMID: 30179846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pompe's disease (PD) is an infrequent metabolic autosomic recessive disorder produced by the lack or deficiency of the acid alpha-glucosidase lysosomal enzyme in tissues of involved individuals. Delayed-onset PD is considered whenever symptoms onset start after one year of age. We present an update of the recommendations for the management of delayed-onset PD, taking as reference the guidelines from the Argentine Consensus for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of PD published in 2013. The present consensus gathered several experts in PD in the areas of internal medicine, laboratory diagnosis, neuropathology, pulmonology, nutrition, neurology, metabolic and neuromuscular disorders as well as rehabilitation to perform an update of the literature of delayed-onset PD, with special attention on relevant information published within the last 4 years. The entire working group approved the final version of the consensus. Each participant provided a declaration of conflict of interest. As a result, it is an update of the previous Argentine PD Consensus with focus on the delayed-onset presentation of the disease. Being such infrequent disorder, available data were rather limited and thus, the recommendations represent expert opinions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Dubrovsky
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Fundación Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ernesto Fulgenzi
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Ignacio Pirovano, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail:
| | - Eduardo L De Vito
- Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas Alfredo Lanari, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Cuidados Respiratorios, Centro del Parque, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fabio Barroso
- Servicio de Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Instituto de Investigaciones Neurológicas-FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés Berardo
- Unidad de Neurociencias, Instituto Conci Carpinella, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Mariela Bettini
- Servicio de Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Binaghi
- Departamento de Imágenes, Fundación Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Esteban Calabrese
- Servicio de Enfermedades Neuromusculares, INECO, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Daniel Carlés
- Servicio de Neumonología, Hospital Perrando, Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Chaves
- Servicio de Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Hospital San Martín, Paraná, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - Fernando Chloca
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Malvinas Argentinas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eugenia Conti
- Servicio de Neurología, área de Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José Corderi
- Departamento de Kinesiología, Fundación Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Nélida Ferradás
- International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustín Jáuregui
- Departamento de Neurología, Fundación Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fabiana Lubieniecki
- Servicio de Patología, Hospital de Pediatría Prof. Dr. J. P. Garrahan, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudio Mazia
- Departamento de Neurología, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas Alfredo Lanari, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marta Medina
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Pirra
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Fundación Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Politei
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica Dr. N. A. Chamoles, Fundación para el Estudio de Enfermedades Neurometabólicas (FESEN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Reisin
- Sección de Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Hospital Británico, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto L Rosa
- Servicio de Genética Médica, Laboratorio Diagnóstico de Genética y Biología Molecular, Sanatorio Allende, Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular, Fundación Allende, IRNASUS-CONICET, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Rugiero
- Servicio de Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria Salutto
- Departamento de Neurología, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas Alfredo Lanari, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Schenone
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica Dr. N. A. Chamoles, Fundación para el Estudio de Enfermedades Neurometabólicas (FESEN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mario Sussini
- Servicio de Neumonología, Hospital Escuela de Corrientes, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Ana L Taratuto
- Consultora del Departamento de Neuropatología, Instituto de Investigaciones Neurológicas-FLENI y Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Carla F, Vassalli L, Pedersini R, Conti E, Tagliani M, Baronchelli A, Ragni D, Lombardi E, Amoroso V, Berta B, Gelmi M, Rodella F, Fogazzi C, Claps M, Romelli M, Berruti A, Simoncini E. Efficacy and patient acceptability of the DigniCaP ScalpCooler to prevent hair loss in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Ann Oncol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx438.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
29
|
Conti E, Mitra J, Calderoni S, Pannek K, Shen KK, Pagnozzi A, Rose S, Mazzotti S, Scelfo D, Tosetti M, Muratori F, Cioni G, Guzzetta A. Network over-connectivity differentiates autism spectrum disorder from other developmental disorders in toddlers: A diffusion MRI study. Hum Brain Mapp 2017; 38:2333-2344. [PMID: 28094463 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced connectivity studies in toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are increasing and consistently reporting a disruption of brain connectivity. However, most of these studies compare ASD and typically developing subjects, thus providing little information on the specificity of the abnormalities detected in comparison with other developmental disorders (other-DD). We recruited subjects aged below 36 months who received a clinical diagnosis of Neurodevelopmental Disorder (32 ASD and 16 other-DD including intellectual disability and language disorder) according to DSM-IV TR. Structural and diffusion MRI were acquired to perform whole brain probabilistic and anatomically constrained tractography. Network connectivity matrices were built encoding the number of streamlines (DNUM ) and the tract-averaged fractional anisotropy (DFA ) values connecting each pair of cortical and subcortical regions. Network Based Statistics (NBS) was finally applied on the connectivity matrices to evaluate the network differences between the ASD and other-DD groups. The network differences resulted in an over-connectivity pattern (i.e., higher DNUM and DFA values) in the ASD group with a significance of P < 0.05. No contra-comparison results were found. The over-connectivity pattern in ASD occurred in networks primarily involving the fronto-temporal nodes, known to be crucial for social-skill development and basal ganglia, related to restricted and repetitive behaviours in ASD. To our knowledge, this is the first network-based diffusion study comparing toddlers with ASD and those with other-DD. Results indicate the detection of different connectivity patterns in ASD and other-DD at an age when clinical differential diagnosis is often challenging. Hum Brain Mapp 38:2333-2344, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - J Mitra
- The Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - S Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - K Pannek
- The Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - K K Shen
- The Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - A Pagnozzi
- The Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - S Rose
- The Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - S Mazzotti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - D Scelfo
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Tosetti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Muratori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Guzzetta
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ramírez Gómez CC, Conti E, Montilla Uzcategui V, Aldinio V, Micheli F. Task specific dystonia in a juggler. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2016; 31:151-152. [PMID: 27499049 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2016.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Candelaria Ramírez Gómez
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eugenia Conti
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Verónica Montilla Uzcategui
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Victoria Aldinio
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Micheli
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Billeci L, Calderoni S, Conti E, Gesi C, Carmassi C, Dell'Osso L, Cioni G, Muratori F, Guzzetta A. The Broad Autism (Endo)Phenotype: Neurostructural and Neurofunctional Correlates in Parents of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:346. [PMID: 27499732 PMCID: PMC4956643 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a set of neurodevelopmental disorders with an early-onset and a strong genetic component in their pathogenesis. According to genetic and epidemiological data, ASD relatives present personality traits similar to, but not as severe as the defining features of ASD, which have been indicated as the "Broader Autism Phenotype" (BAP). BAP features seem to be more prevalent in first-degree relatives of individuals with ASD than in the general population. Characterizing brain profiles of relatives of autistic probands may help to understand ASD endophenotype. The aim of this review was to provide an up-to-date overview of research findings on the neurostructural and neurofunctional substrates in parents of individuals with ASD (pASD). The primary hypothesis was that, like for the behavioral profile, the pASD express an intermediate neurobiological pattern between ASD individuals and healthy controls. The 13 reviewed studies evaluated structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain volumes, chemical signals using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), task-related functional activation by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), or magnetoencephalography (MEG) in pASD.The studies showed that pASD are generally different from healthy controls at a structural and functional level despite often not behaviorally impaired. More atypicalities in neural patterns of pASD seem to be associated with higher scores at BAP assessment. Some of the observed atypicalities are the same of the ASD probands. In addition, the pattern of neural correlates in pASD resembles that of adult individuals with ASD, or it is specific, possibly due to a compensatory mechanism. Future studies should ideally include a group of pASD and HC with their ASD and non-ASD probands respectively. They should subgrouping the pASD according to the BAP scores, considering gender as a possible confounding factor, and correlating these scores to underlying brain structure and function. These types of studies may help to understand the genetic mechanisms involved in the various clinical dimension of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Billeci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | | | - Eugenia Conti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care G. D'Alessandro, University of PalermoPalermo, Italy
| | - Camilla Gesi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Liliana Dell'Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
- IRCCS Stella Maris FoundationPisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
- IRCCS Stella Maris FoundationPisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Guzzetta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
- IRCCS Stella Maris FoundationPisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Conti E, Pannek K, Calderoni S, Gaglianese A, Fiori S, Brovedani P, Scelfo D, Rose S, Tosetti M, Cioni G, Guzzetta A. High angular resolution diffusion imaging in a child with autism spectrum disorder and comparison with his unaffected identical twin. Funct Neurol 2015; 30:203-8. [PMID: 26446271 DOI: 10.11138/fneur/2015.30.3.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the use of brain diffusion MRI has led to the hypothesis that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show abnormally connected brains. We used the model of disease-discordant identical twins to test the hypothesis that higher-order diffusion MRI protocols are able to detect abnormal connectivity in a single subject. We studied the structural connectivity of the brain of a child with ASD, and of that of his unaffected identical twin, using high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) probabilistic tractography. Cortical regions were automatically parcellated from high-resolution structural images, and HARDI-based connection matrices were produced for statistical comparison. Differences in diffusion indexes between subjects were tested by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Tracts were defined as discordant when they showed a between-subject difference of 10 percent or more. Around 11 percent of the discordant intra-hemispheric tracts showed lower fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the ASD twin, while only 1 percent showed higher values. This difference was significant. Our findings in a disease-discordant identical twin pair confirm previous literature consistently reporting lower FA values in children with ASD.
Collapse
|
33
|
Conti E, Calderoni S, Gaglianese A, Pannek K, Mazzotti S, Rose S, Scelfo D, Tosetti M, Muratori F, Cioni G, Guzzetta A. Lateralization of Brain Networks and Clinical Severity in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A HARDI Diffusion MRI Study. Autism Res 2015; 9:382-92. [PMID: 26280255 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent diffusion tensor imaging studies in adolescents and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have reported a loss or an inversion of the typical left-right lateralization in fronto-temporal regions crucial for sociocommunicative skills. No studies explored atypical lateralization in toddlers and its correlation with clinical severity of ASD. We recruited a cohort of 20 subjects aged 36 months or younger receiving a first clinical diagnosis of ASD (15 males; age range 20-36 months). Patients underwent diffusion MRI (High-Angular-Resolution Diffusion Imaging protocol). Data from cortical parcellation were combined with tractography to obtain a connection matrix and diffusion indexes (DI ) including mean fractional anisotropy (DFA ), number of tracts (DNUM ), and total tract length (DTTL ). A laterality index was generated for each measure, and then correlated with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G) total score. Laterality indexes of DFA were significantly correlated with ADOS-G total scores only in two intrafrontal connected areas (correlation was positive in one case and negative in the other). Laterality indexes of DTTL and DNUM showed significant negative correlations (P < 0.05) in six connected areas, mainly fronto-temporal. This study provides first evidence of a significant correlation between brain lateralization of diffusion indexes and clinical severity in toddlers with a first diagnosis of ASD. Significant correlations mainly involved regions within the fronto-temporal circuits, known to be crucial for sociocommunicative skills. It is of interest that all correlations but one were negative, suggesting an inversion of the typical left-right asymmetry in subjects with most severe clinical impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Gaglianese
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Kerstin Pannek
- The Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sara Mazzotti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stephen Rose
- The Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Danilo Scelfo
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Tosetti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Guzzetta
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Carone D, Librizzi L, Cattalini A, Sala G, Conti E, Cuccione E, Versace A, Cai R, Monza L, de Curtis M, Ferrarese C, Beretta S. Pravastatin acute neuroprotective effects depend on blood brain barrier integrity in experimental cerebral ischemia. Brain Res 2015; 1615:31-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Revised: 04/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
35
|
Conti E, Guzzetta A. Wiring the preterm brain: contribution of new meta-analytic approaches. Dev Med Child Neurol 2015; 57:307-8. [PMID: 25516287 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.12659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Conti
- SMILE Lab, Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Conti E, Calderoni S, Marchi V, Muratori F, Cioni G, Guzzetta A. The first 1000 days of the autistic brain: a systematic review of diffusion imaging studies. Front Hum Neurosci 2015; 9:159. [PMID: 25859207 PMCID: PMC4374458 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
There is overwhelming evidence that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is related to altered brain connectivity. While these alterations are starting to be well characterized in subjects where the clinical picture is fully expressed, less is known on their earlier developmental course. In the present study we systematically reviewed current knowledge on structural connectivity in ASD infants and toddlers. We searched PubMed and Medline databases for all English language papers, published from year 2000, exploring structural connectivity in populations of infants and toddlers whose mean age was below 30 months. Of the 264 papers extracted, four were found to be eligible and were reviewed. Three of the four selected studies reported higher fractional anisotropy values in subjects with ASD compared to controls within commissural fibers, projections fibers, and association fibers, suggesting brain hyper-connectivity in the earliest phases of the disorder. Similar conclusions emerged from the other diffusion parameters assessed. These findings are reversed to what is generally found in studies exploring older patient groups and suggest a developmental course characterized by a shift toward hypo-connectivity starting at a time between two and four years of age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation Pisa, Italy ; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation Pisa, Italy
| | - Viviana Marchi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation Pisa, Italy ; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation Pisa, Italy ; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation Pisa, Italy ; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Guzzetta
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation Pisa, Italy ; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Conti E, Barbagallo E, Battiato S, Marletta A, Costa G, Samperi F. Do habitat features affect the composition of silk proteins by Namibian arid-adapted Ariadnaspiders (Araneae: Segestriidae)? Italian Journal of Zoology 2015; 82:48-60. [DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2014.975288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
|
38
|
Tremolizzo L, Conti E, Bomba M, Uccellini O, Rossi MS, Marfone M, Corbetta F, Santarone ME, Raggi ME, Neri F, Ferrarese C, Nacinovich R. Decreased whole-blood global DNA methylation is related to serum hormones in anorexia nervosa adolescents. World J Biol Psychiatry 2014; 15:327-33. [PMID: 24286295 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2013.860467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The one-carbon metabolism, also known as methionine-homocysteine cycle, governs the dynamics of DNA methylation, epigenetically regulating gene expression, and has been reported altered in anorexia nervosa (AN) adult patients. The aim of this study consisted in assessing whole-blood DNA methylation in adolescent AN patients, assessing its significance in relationship to clinical and hormonal variables. METHODS Whole-blood global DNA methylation was measured as incorporation of [(3)H]dCTP following HpaII cut in 32 adolescent females affected by restrictive type AN and compared to 13 healthy controls. Homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate plasma levels were assessed as well as fasting plasma levels of leptin and steroid hormones. Clinical variables, including severity and associate states and traits, were assessed by means of the EDI-3, CDI and STAI-Y scales. RESULTS We confirm that whole-blood global DNA methylation is modestly albeit significantly reduced in AN adolescents with respect to controls, correlating with plasma leptin and steroid hormone levels. Conversely, clinical traits did not correlate with the outcome variable. CONCLUSIONS A better definition of the epigenetic dysregulation underlying AN pathology or vulnerability might lead to develop useful markers for diagnosis, prognostic classification and tailored therapeutic interventions in these vulnerable patients since the earliest phases of their disease.
Collapse
|
39
|
Servoli L, Biasini M, Bissi L, Calandra A, Checcucci B, Chiocchini S, Cicioni R, Conti E, Di Lorenzo R, Dipilato A, Forini N, Magalotti D, Maselli A, Paolucci M, Passeri D, Pentiricci A, Placidi P, Scarpignato M, Scorzoni A. 179: Characterization of wireless personal dosimeter prototype for Interventional Radiology medical operators. Radiother Oncol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(15)34200-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
40
|
Zezza L, Ralli E, Conti E, Passerini J, Autore C, Caserta D. Hypertension in pregnancy: the most recent findings in pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapy. Minerva Ginecol 2014; 66:103-126. [PMID: 24569409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Hypertension in pregnancy is a major cause of maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, both in developing and developed countries. That is because it is the most common pathological condition during pregnancy and its development is associated with high risk of severe complications: mother could be affected by placental abruption, cerebrovascular events, organ dysfunction and could develop disseminated intravascular coagulation, instead the foetus could be affected by intrauterine growth retardation, premature birth and intrauterine death. Aware that preeclampsia still remains an enigma for different aspects, this review aims to provide a comprehensive update of all the current literature regarding this disease. In particular, the main purpose of this review is to emphasize the most recent findings about the pathophysiology, diagnosis and submit a revision of the most recent guidelines in relation to drug therapy, with particular attention to the evaluation of risks and benefits associated with the use of various classes of the currently available drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Zezza
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Università degli Studi "La Sapienza", Ospedale Sant'Andrea, Roma, Italia -
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Guzzetta A, Fiori S, Scelfo D, Conti E, Bancale A. Reorganization of visual fields after periventricular haemorrhagic infarction: potentials and limitations. Dev Med Child Neurol 2013; 55 Suppl 4:23-6. [PMID: 24237275 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.12302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Visual functions are often impaired in preterm infants with periventricular haemorrhagic infarction, because of the involvement of the region where the optic radiations are located. In some cases an unexpected sparing of the visual fields has been described, and related to the plasticity of thalamo-cortical afferents that are supposedly able to bypass the lesion when it occurs in the early third trimester of gestation. We systematically reviewed the literature in the field to determine the limits and potentials of this type of reorganization. We found four studies meeting our criteria, from which we extracted case reports on 19 individuals with intraventricular haemorrhagic infarction. Eleven of the 19 did not have visual field defects, five had a bilateral visual field defect, and the remaining three had a unilateral visual field defect. The involvement of the optic radiations was often associated with normal visual fields as only one of the four individuals with damaged optic radiations showed visual field defects. Conversely, the presence of basal ganglia/thalamus involvement apparently prevented such reorganization, as the only two individuals with unilateral field restriction and available magnetic resonance imaging data both showed abnormalities in those structures. Consistent with this, we report on a further individual in which visual field restriction was associated with abnormal tractography on brain magnetic resonance imaging. Overall, this review supports the existence of effective mechanisms of plastic reorganization that allow a rewiring of geniculo-calcarine connections with restoration of full field vision but which are hindered by the involvement of the basal ganglia and thalamus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Guzzetta
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Conti E, Mazzotti S, Calderoni S, Saviozzi I, Guzzetta A. Are children born after assisted reproductive technology at increased risk of autism spectrum disorders? A systematic review. Hum Reprod 2013; 28:3316-27. [PMID: 24129612 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/det380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are children born after assisted reproductive technology (ART) at increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD)? SUMMARY ANSWER There is no evidence that ART significantly increases the risk of ASD in the offspring. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY A few systematic reviews have explored the correlation between assisted conception and ASD with inconclusive results, partly due to the heterogeneity of diagnostic criteria and methodology in the different studies. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Systematic review of 7 observational studies (2 cohort and 5 case-control) encompassing 9216 subjects diagnosed with ASD published since 2000. MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Literature searches were conducted to retrieve observational studies on the risk of ASD in ART population. Databases searched included PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO. In order to obtain more consistent results, we only included the studies in which (i) subjects with either infantile autism or ASD could be identified according to international classification systems and (ii) the diagnosis was obtained from hospital records. Seven studies matched the inclusion criteria. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Four out of seven studies, including the two with the best quality scores, did not show an association between ART and ASD. The two papers supporting an increased risk of autism following ART had the lowest quality scores, due to major methodological limitations. Only one paper showed a protective role of ART. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION In spite of the strict inclusion criteria applied as to the diagnosis of ASD, the papers selected are heterogeneous in many aspects including study design, definitions of ART, data source and analysed confounders. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS At present, there is no evidence that ART is significantly associated with ASD and hence that current health policies should be modified. The divergent results of some of the studies suggest that further prospective, large and high-quality studies are still needed. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported, in part, by the Italian Ministry of Health and by Tuscany Region. The authors have no competing interests to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56128 Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Ralli E, Zezza L, Lillo R, Conti E, Comito C, Caserta D, Moscarini M. [Venous thromboembolism in pregnancy: current state of the art]. Minerva Med 2013; 104:563-578. [PMID: 24101113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy or early after delivery and it remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The latest Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (2006-2008) showed that VTE is now the third leading cause of direct maternal mortality, beside sepsis and hypertension. In particular the prevalence of VTE has been estimated to be 1 per 1000-2000 pregnancies. The risk of VTE is five times higher in a pregnant woman than in non-pregnant woman of similar age and postpartum VTE is more common than antepartum VTE. A literature search was carried out on Pubmed using the following key words: "venous thromboembolism", "pregnancy", "risk factors", "prophylaxis", "anticoagulants". Studies from 1999 onwards were analyzed. This review aimed to provide an update of whole current literature on VTE in pregnancy highlighting the most recent findings in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, considering in detail risks and benefits of various techniques and drug classes, for both mother and fetus. Large trials of anticoagulants administration in pregnancy are lacking and recommendations are mainly based on case series and on expert opinions. Nonetheless, anticoagulants are believed to improve the outcome of pregnancy for women with current or previous VTE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Ralli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ginecologico-Ostetriche e Scienze Urologiche Università La Sapienza, Roma, Italia -
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Conti E. Les brûlures de la main chez l’enfant. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 32 Suppl 1:S63-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.main.2013.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2012] [Revised: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
45
|
Passerini J, Conti E, Musumeci MB, Fusco D, Zezza L, Ventura M, Romaniello A, Berni A, Volpe M, Autore C. Invasive treatment strategy in elderly patients with non ST elevation acute coronary syndromes. A sensitivity analysis of a large monocentric retrospective study. Eur Heart J 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht307.p422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
46
|
Bach CA, Richard P, Constant I, Vazquez MP, Conti E. Le pansement par exposition à l’air dans le traitement des brûlures de l’enfant. ANN CHIR PLAST ESTH 2013; 58:373-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anplas.2011.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
47
|
Abstract
Clostridia are anaerobic Gram-positive bacilli that can be isolated from the soil and the intestinal tract of humans. These microorganisms are recognized as the cause of devastating soft tissue infections, such as cellulitis, myositis, and gas gangrene. However, such bacteria may also be involved in various postoperative orthopedic infections, including prosthetic joint infection. We present three clinical cases of clostridial orthopedic infection and review the related medical literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Lazzarini
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, S. Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Conti E, Zezza L, Ralli E, Caserta D, Musumeci MB, Moscarini M, Autore C, Volpe M. Growth factors in preeclampsia: a vascular disease model. A failed vasodilation and angiogenic challenge from pregnancy onwards? Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2013; 24:411-25. [PMID: 23800655 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2013.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2013] [Revised: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is the major cause of maternofetal and neonatal morbi-mortality including intrauterine growth retardation, miscarriages and stillbirths. Inadequate vascular dilation and angiogenesis represent the crucial underlying defect of gravidic hypertension, denoting a failed response to the vasodilatory and pro-angiogenic challenge imposed by pregnancy, especially if multifetal. A similar pathogenesis appears involved in gestational diabetes. In this review we aimed to provide a hint on understanding the deeply involved angiogenic disorders which eventually culminate in utero-placental failure. The key players in these complex processes may be found in an intricate network of growth factors (GFs) and GF inhibitors, controlled by several vascular risk factors modulated by environment and genes, which eventually impact on early and late cardiovascular outcomes of mother and fetus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Conti
- Cardiology, Clinical and Molecular Medicine Department, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Conti E, Zezza L, Ralli E, Comito C, Sada L, Passerini J, Caserta D, Rubattu S, Autore C, Moscarini M, Volpe M. Pulmonary embolism in pregnancy. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2013; 37:251-70. [DOI: 10.1007/s11239-013-0941-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
|
50
|
Meloni M, Reid A, Caujapé-Castells J, Marrero A, Fernández-Palacios JM, Mesa-Coelo RA, Conti E. Effects of clonality on the genetic variability of rare, insular species: the case of Ruta microcarpa from the Canary Islands. Ecol Evol 2013; 3:1569-79. [PMID: 23789068 PMCID: PMC3686192 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2012] [Revised: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Many plant species combine sexual and clonal reproduction. Clonal propagation has ecological costs mainly related to inbreeding depression and pollen discounting; at the same time, species able to reproduce clonally have ecological and evolutionary advantages being able to persist when conditions are not favorable for sexual reproduction. The presence of clonality has profound consequences on the genetic structure of populations, especially when it represents the predominant reproductive strategy in a population. Theoretical studies suggest that high rate of clonal propagation should increase the effective number of alleles and heterozygosity in a population, while an opposite effect is expected on genetic differentiation among populations and on genotypic diversity. In this study, we ask how clonal propagation affects the genetic diversity of rare insular species, which are often characterized by low levels of genetic diversity, hence at risk of extinction. We used eight polymorphic microsatellite markers to study the genetic structure of the critically endangered insular endemic Ruta microcarpa. We found that clonality appears to positively affect the genetic diversity of R. microcarpa by increasing allelic diversity, polymorphism, and heterozygosity. Moreover, clonal propagation seems to be a more successful reproductive strategy in small, isolated population subjected to environmental stress. Our results suggest that clonal propagation may benefit rare species. However, the advantage of clonal growth may be only short-lived for prolonged clonal growth could ultimately lead to monoclonal populations. Some degree of sexual reproduction may be needed in a predominantly clonal species to ensure long-term viability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Meloni
- Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zurich Zollikerstrase 107, Zurich, 8008, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|