Problems affecting the vaginal tract in diabetic women are very often neglected. The efficacy and safety of three gynecological treatments in diabetic women have been assessed.
A single-blind ...randomized progressive trial on 48 diabetic women affected by vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and recurrent Candida infections was carried out. The ICIQ Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ-VS) questionnaire was administered.
The analysis of the parameters of ICIQ-VS questionnaire among the three groups showed significant difference only for "dragging pain" (p = 0.0 19) and "soreness" (p = 0.028). In all groups and for all parameters of the questionnaire, improvement of symptoms was observed. In particular, in Group 1 for all symptoms a highly significant difference was observed, to support the already known benefits of the products and of the proposed combination. Significant improvement was also observed in Group 2.
The proposed treatment with DermoXEN® Ultracalming Special for diabetics and DermoXEN® Vitexyl vaginal gel exert effective moisturizing and soothing action. Indeed, the aforementioned products have been proven effective for the main gynecological problems of diabetic women.
In March, people living with HIV infection (PLWH) were included in the risk category of fragile people for severe COVID‐19 receiving priority access to vaccination with BNT162b2 vaccine. The aim of ...the study was to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of the two doses regimen. The antibodies titer for severe acute respiratory syndrome‐related coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) was evaluated after 21 days since the first administration (Time 1), 1 (Time 2), and 3 (Time 3) months post‐vaccination. Information regarding virological and immunological conditions at baseline, previous SARS‐CoV‐2 state of infection, other immunodeficiencies, current antiretroviral therapy (ART), comorbidities, and severe adverse events (SAE) to vaccination was collected. Six hundred and ninety‐seven patients were tested for quantitative anti‐spike antibodies at Time 1, 577 patients had a second detection at Time 2, and 491 patients had the third detection. Baseline characteristics of the study population are reported in Table 1. At the time of vaccine administration, all patients were on ART (except one long‐term nonprogressor); 632 (90.7%) patients had undetectable HIV‐RNA; 12 (1.7%) patients were immunosuppressed due to chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive drugs; 345 (49.5%) patients had at least one COVID‐19 related comorbidity and 155 (22.2%) had two or more comorbidities. No SAEs were reported. Final serological results are available for 694 patients after the first dose, 577 and 491 after the second and third ones, respectively; positive titer (values ≥ 50 AU/ml) was demonstrated in 653 (94.1%), 576 (99.8%), 484 (98.6%) patients, respectively. Only one patient was a nonresponder after completing vaccination, who was a newly diagnosed one for HIV infection. All vaccinations were well tolerated, with no SAEs. BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was immunogenic and safe in PLWH.
Key points
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The aim of the study was to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of the two doses regimen in people with HIV infection.
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The severe acute respiratory syndrome‐related coronavirus‐2 anti‐spike antibodies titer was evaluated after 21 days since the first administration (in 697 patients) and 1 (in 577 patients) and 3 months (in 491 patients) post‐vaccination.
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Positive titer (values ≥ 50 AU/ml) was demonstrated in 653 (94.1%), 576 (99.8%), and 484 (98.6%) patients, respectively.
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Only one patient was a nonresponder after completing vaccination, who was a newly diagnosed one for HIV infection.
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All vaccinations were well tolerated, with no severe adverse events.
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BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was immunogenic and safe in people living with HIV infection, regardless of CD+ cell count.
Three different basic mixtures were prepared, by mechanical compaction, with different types of clays: quarry fine, kaolinite, and bentonite. Two groups of mixtures were studied, the first group ...without lime and the second with the addition of 5% hydrated lime. A comparison between the measured hygrothermal performances of the mixtures and their microstructural composition was performed. Microstructural morphology and chemical composition was characterised using SEM with EDS, mineralogy using XRD, and porosity using gravimetrics/He pycnometry and N2 physisorption with BET and BJH analysis. Hygrothermal functional properties were characterised as moisture-dependant thermal conductivity, moisture-dependent heat capacity, vapour sorption isotherms, and water vapour permeability. The hygrothermal behaviour of a TESTROOM in a Mediterranean climate was simulated using WUFI Plus v2.1. The model simulated was repeated for three different internal surface types; an earth-bentonite panel, unpainted gypsum plaster, and an acrylic stucco plaster. Results demonstrated that the earth-bentonite gave the best hygric performance in terms of humidity buffering and, when used in conjunction with an HVAC system, achieved a significant (30%) operational energy saving in terms of humidification/dehumidification.
► Three different types of clays were tested: quarry fine, kaolinite, and bentonite. ► Two mixtures were studied: without lime and with the addition of 5% hydrated lime. ► Hygrothermal functional properties were characterised. ► The hygrothermal behaviour of a TESTROOM in a Mediterranean climate was simulated. ► Results demonstrated that the earth-bentonite gave the best hygric performance.
Healthcare workers on duty at the hospital are at high risk of COVID-19 infection. However, despite the introduction of risk-lowering practices in the hospital setting, there have been many cases of ...SARS-COV-2 infection among Health Care Workers. Fast and efficient contact tracing and Sars-CoV-2 PCR-based testing of the close contacts of Health Care Workers with confirmed infections are essential steps to limit nosocomial outbreaks.
This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bari Policlinico General University-Hospital (Apulia, Italy) and describes the management of a cluster of SARS-COV-2 infections in three Operative Units. The contact tracing activities and the measures implemented to control the outbreak are described.
Among the 186 Health Care Workers active in the cluster setting, there were 9 (4.8%) confirmed cases, including the index case. Due to the outbreak, three Operative Units were closed to limit virus circulation. Health Care Workers with confirmed infections tested negative after a mean of 28.0±6.6 days (range: 13-37) and none required hospitalization.
Protection of the health of Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 pandemic should be a public health priority. However, despite recent recommendations and the implementation of protective measures, SARS-COV-2 infections of Health Care Workers remain at a high rate, indicative of the continued high risk of cluster onset in the nosocomial setting.
In patients with asthma, particularly severe asthma, poor adherence to inhaled drugs negatively affects the achievement of disease control. A better adherence rate is expected in the case of injected ...drugs, such as omalizumab, as they are administered only in a hospital setting. However, adherence to omalizumab has never been systematically investigated. The aim of this study was to review the omalizumab drop-out rate in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and real-life studies. A comparative analysis was performed between published data and the Italian North East Omalizumab Network (NEONet) database.
In RCTs the drop-out rate ranged from 7.1 to 19.4 %. Although the reasons for withdrawal were only occasionally reported, patient decision and adverse events were the most frequently reported causes. In real-life studies the drop-out rate ranged from 0 to 45.5 %. In most cases lack of efficacy was responsible for treatment discontinuation. According to NEONet data, 32 % of treated patients dropped out, with an increasing number of drop outs observed over time. Patient decision and lack of efficacy accounted for most treatment withdrawals.
Treatment adherence is particularly crucial in patients with severe asthma considering the clinical impact of the disease and the cost of non-adherence. The risk of treatment discontinuation has to be carefully considered both in the experimental and real-life settings. Increased knowledge regarding the main reasons for patient withdrawal is important to improve adherence in clinical practice.
Black Sea Observing System Palazov, Atanas; Ciliberti, Stefania; Peneva, Elisaveta ...
Frontiers in Marine Science,
06/2019, Letnik:
6
Journal Article, Web Resource
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The ultimate goal of modern operational oceanography are end user oriented products with high scientific quality. Beneficiaries are the governmental services, coast and offshore based enterprises and ...research institutions that make use of the products generated by operational oceanography. Direct users are coastal managers, shipping, search and rescue, oil spill combat, offshore industry, ports, fishing, tourism and recreation industry. Indirect beneficiaries, through climate forecasting based on ocean observations, are food, energy, water and medical suppliers. Availability of updated information on the actual state as well as forecast of marine environment is essential for the success and safety of maritime operations in the offshore industry. Various systems for the collection and presentation of marine data for the needs of different users have been developed and put in operation in the Black Sea. The systems are located both along the coast and in the open sea and the information they provide is used by both the maritime industry and the widest range of users. The Black Sea Monitoring and Forecasting Centre in the frame of the Copernicus Marine Service is providing regular and systematic information about the physical state of the ocean, marine ecosystem and wave conditions in the Black Sea area, assimilating observations, keeping efficient operations, advanced technology and high quality modeling products. Combining and optimizing in-situ, remote sensing, modeling and forecasting into a Black Sea observing system is a task that has to be solved, and that will allow to get a more complete and comprehensive picture of the state of the marine environment as well as to forecast future changes of physical and biogeochemical state of the Black Sea and the Black Sea ecosystem.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of liver-related mortality. NAFLD is associated with obesity, hepatic fat accumulation, and insulin resistance, all of which ...contribute to its pathophysiology. Weight-loss is the main therapy for NAFLD, and metabolic surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity and its metabolic comorbidities. Although has been reported that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can reverse NAFLD, it is unclear whether such effects result from reduced weight, from a lower calorie-intake, or from the direct influence of surgery on mechanisms contributing to NAFLD. We aimed to investigate whether gastrointestinal (GI) bypass surgery could induce direct effects on hepatic fat accumulation and insulin resistance, independently of weight reduction. Twenty Wistar rats on a high-fat diet underwent duodenal-jejunal-bypass (DJB) or sham operation and were pair fed (PF) for 15 wk after surgery to obtain a matched weight. Outcome measures include ectopic fat deposition, expression of genes and proteins involved in fat metabolism, insulin-signaling, and gluconeogenesis in liver and muscle. Despite no differences in body weight and calorie intake, DJB showed lower ectopic fat accumulation, improved peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity, and enhanced lipid droplet degradation. In both tissues, DJB increased insulin signaling, whereas hepatic key enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis and de novo lipogenesis were decreased. These findings suggest that DJB can reverse, independently of weight loss, ectopic fat deposition and insulin resistance, two features of NAFLD that share a mutual pathway, in which perilipin-2 (PLIN2) seems to be the main player, supporting further investigation into strategies that target the gut to treat metabolic liver diseases.
Our findings suggest that duodenal-jejunal bypass can reverse, independently of weight loss, ectopic fat deposition and insulin resistance, two features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease that share a mutual pathway, in which perilipin-2 seems to be the main player. Our study supports further investigation into the role of proximal small intestine exclusion in the pathophysiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to uncover less invasive treatments that mimic the effects of metabolic surgery and aims to prevent and treat metabolic liver disease.
This paper presents the case study of an nZEB building located in the municipality of Mesagne (Apulia, BR). It is a building of 309 m2 of usable floor space with two floors above ground. The building ...is a proof that a correct integrated design of the HVAC system and the building envelope can easily lead to an nZEB building with high performance in terms of energy consumption and comfort. The external envelope of the building is a structure in tufa blocks plus a mixture of hemp and hydraulic lime plus blocks of hemp and lime. Hemp lime is a mix of renewably sourced hemp shiv, a specially formulated lime binder and water. The air conditioning system is based on a controlled mechanical ventilation with air pre-treatment through an underground tube exchanger. A numerical simulation of the overall building-plant system performance was made with DesignBuilder in order to evaluate the energy consumption for air conditioning and the thermohygrometric comfort in the building. Several simulations were carried out to compare the incidence of different building-plant system on total energy consumptions: one without earth-to-air heat exchanger, one without heat-recovery and recirculation, one without solar shading.
AIMTo investigate the prevalence of biopsy-proven non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in a cohort of patients with morbid obesity and with or without type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to find non-invasive ...predictors of NASH severity. METHODSWe evaluated a cohort of 412 subjects (age 19-67 years, body mass index-BMI: 44.98 kg/m2), who underwent fine-needle liver biopsy during bariatric surgery. Thirty-six percent of the subjects were affected by T2D. Liver biopsies were classified according to the Kleiner's NAFLD Activity Score (NAS). NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS), AST/ALT ratio, AST to Platelet ratio (APRI), fibrosis-4 score (FIB4) were calculated. A neural network analysis (NNA) was run to predict NASH severity. RESULTSThe prevalence of biopsy-proven NASH was 63% and 78% in subjects with obesity and without or with T2D, respectively. T2D doubled the risk of NASH OR 2.079 (95% IC=1.31-3.29). The prevalence of NAFL increased with the increase of BMI, while there was an inverse correlation between BMI and NASH (r=-0.145 p=0.003). Only mild liver fibrosis was observed. HOMA-IR was positively associated with hepatocyte ballooning (r=0.208, p<0.0001) and fibrosis (r=0.159, p=0.008). The NNA highlighted a specificity of 77.3% using HDL-cholesterol, BMI, and HOMA-IR as main determinants of NASH. CONCLUSIONSOur data show a higher prevalence of NASH in patients with morbid obesity than reported in the literature and the pivotal role of T2D among the risk factors for NASH development. However, the inverse correlation observed between BMI and biopsy-proven NASH suggests that over a certain threshold adiposity can be somewhat protective against liver damage. Our model predicts NASH presence with high specificity, thus helping identifying subjects who should promptly undergo liver biopsy.
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