Efforts to manage non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are limited by the incomplete understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms and the absence of accurate non-invasive biomarkers. The aim of ...this study was to identify novel NAFLD therapeutic targets andbiomarkers by conducting liver transcriptomic analysis in patients stratified by the presence of the
I148M genetic risk variant.
We sequenced the hepatic transcriptome of 125 obese individuals. 'Severe NAFLD' was defined as the presence of steatohepatitis, NAFLD activity score ≥4 or fibrosis stage ≥2. The circulating levels of the most upregulated transcript, interleukin-32 (IL32), were measured by ELISA.
Carriage of the
I148M variant correlated with the two major components of hepatic transcriptome variability and broadly influenced gene expression. In patients with severe NAFLD, there was an upregulation of inflammatory and lipid metabolism pathways. IL32 was the most robustly upregulated gene in the severe NAFLD group (adjusted p=1×10
), and its expression correlated with steatosis severity, both in I148M variant carriers and non-carriers. In 77 severely obese, and in a replication cohort of 160 individuals evaluated at the hepatology service, circulating IL32 levels were associated with both NAFLD and severe NAFLD independently of aminotransferases (p<0.01 for both). A linear combination of IL32-ALT-AST showed a better performance than ALT-AST alone in NAFLD diagnosis (area under the curve=0.92 vs 0.81, p=5×10
).
Hepatic IL32 is overexpressed in NAFLD, correlates with hepatic fat and liver damage, and is detectable in the circulation, where it is independently associated with the presence and severity of NAFLD.
Novel suggestions and insights on corporate valuation are provided adopting a still unconventional approach: fuzzy logic. It recalls the (Sophist) concepts of imprecision, vagueness, and ambiguity, ...overcoming the common (Aristotelian/Boolean) logic founded on dichotomy. Fuzziness has been applied to economics and appears, for most part in cognitive contexts characterized by uncertainty and complexity, growingly adequate to business and information sciences. In this paper, our goal is to revisit and expose the future horizon value attributable to a business after n years (in the medium and long term, beyond the normal five-to-ten-year forecast period) through a fuzzy multivalent number, rather than a limiting crisp (single-valued) one. Since the "continuing" or "terminal" value is a big slice of the overall corporate value, such "picture" results in an amusing and suggestive (impressionistic) visualization, as financial numbers are looked through deconstructing and zooming lens. Abductively, absolute conclusions on business values are precluded, but several levels of feasibility or adequacy are possible, showing a blurry multiplicity of gathered numbers. The fuzzy approach enlarges the extent of the sensitivity analysis made by the expert (appraiser) and enables the decision makers (administration) having for processes or predictions more information with characteristics of completeness, transparency, and credibility. Finally, the approach sheds light on different value possibilities rather than sharply estimating and releasing only one single (most likely) value.
We explore the interplay between the three missions of the modern university (teaching, research, and ‘third mission’: education, scientific productivity, and socio-economic interaction with ...non-academic environments), with a focus on the Italian public university. We execute a path analysis compliant with the isomorphic ‘one-size-fits-all’ university management framework, revisited under a stakeholder approach in light of students’ needs and expectations. We investigate the impact of the university’s knowledge-based missions on student outcome: student satisfaction and early job placement (data from nearly 400,000 respondents per year from 2011–2014) epitomizing both educational effectiveness/attractiveness and competitiveness. Although performances do not appear to all be correlated with each other, there is a positive relationship between research and third mission quality, and finally between the socio-economic mission and student satisfaction. This kind of mission-related evaluation can shape the institutional decisions (government policy and funding) and influence management priorities or behavior by revealing the way the quality of academic productivity and knowledge transfer to communities can create value from the point of view of the core stakeholder (university students). Our findings across missions offer a new perspective, while the innovative structural method helps to reconcile the three institutional goals in one big picture.
Both UN Agenda 2030 and the Directive n. 2014/95/EU have recently promoted a marked improvement in sustainability disclosure, especially for larger companies or groups. Starting from this premise, we ...carried out an original study on the financial materiality of the E-S-G (environmental, social and governance) information of primary companies listed on major European indices in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Spain (BEL, CAC, DAX, FTSE-MIB, IBEX). Within the Stakeholder Theory and the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)–Corporate Social Perfomance (CSP) framework, our empirical analysis examined the impact of non-financial results (assessed through sustainability indicators) on economic (financial and market) performance in the timespan 2014–2017. We propose a different approach from previous studies, based on a PLS (Partial least squares)/SEM (Structural equation modeling) methodology together with the unprecedented consideration of “ESG” measures (Environmental, Social and Governance), either absolute (scores) or relative (extra-performance over industry sector). We find that, despite the absolute level of the individual ESG scores not being impactful, the “distance” from the industry average–normal figures (excess or abnormal ESG performance) is positively relevant, collaterally revisiting the notion of competitive advantage in sustainability terms. Corporate size is shown to be a significant background factor (as slack resources proxy). Social, environmental and governance responsibility (to all stakeholders) appear to be important as a competitive factor of the modern firm.
AIMThe endoscopic approach for early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) treatment is considered gold standard. Some authors expressed their concern regarding uterine manipulator (UM) as a risk factor for ...tumor spillage and dissemination allowing peritoneal or lympho-vascular spaces invasion (LVSI). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of UM on the presence of LVSI, recurrence rate and presence of atypical or malignant peritoneal cytology in patients with endometrial cancer. METHODSWe searched electronic databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, EBSCO, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The pooled results were used to evaluate the association between the use of UM and oncological outcomes. This systematic review was reported according to PRISMA statement 2020. Statistical meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager software. RESULTSThis systematic review included 18 studies (3 prospective studies, 13 retrospective studies, and 2 RCT). The pooled results showed no significant difference (RR: 0.86, 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.08) in the incidence of LVSI between manipulated hysterectomy and total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) and between UM group and non-UM group in minimally invasive surgery (RR: 1.18, 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.85), no significant difference in the rate of recurrence (RR: 1.11, 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.74), in the incidence of positive peritoneal cytology between manipulated and non-manipulated hysterectomies in minimally invasive surgery (RR: 1.89, 95% CI, 0.74 to 4.83) and before and after the use of uterine manipulator (RR: 1.21, 95% CI, 0.68 to 2.16). We found a positive association between malignant cytology and hysterectomies in which a uterine manipulator had been used in a sub-group analysis where LH/LAVH were compared to TAH. (RR = 2.26, 95% CI, 1.08-4.71. P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONSThis meta-analysis supports that the use of uterine manipulator for minimally invasive treatment of endometrial cancer does not increase the rate of recurrence and LVSI. Therefore, the opportunity of any other studies on its use in endometrial cancer women should be questioned.
The objectives of the present report were to give a baseline picture of hepatitis B notification incidence rates in children before the campaign of mass vaccination for newborns and adolescents ...(12-13 years old), and to study the role of different risk factors. Data from a specific national surveillance system of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA, Sistema Epidemiologico Integrato dell'Epatite Virale Acuta) were used and acute hepatitis B cases were compared to acute hepatitis A patients with the case-control study method to estimate the associations with the considered risk factors. Since the system began, one hundred and sixty-three local health departments have joined SEIEVA covering 30% of the Italian population. The incidence of acute hepatitis B notifications among 0-14 aged children was 9 per 100,000 in 1985 and 1 per 100,000 in 1990. Such decline in incidence was observed in both the North and the South of Italy. Surgical interventions, dental therapy and household contacts with a HBsAg chronic carrier were found to be associated with acute hepatitis B. The point estimate of the odds ratio was 10 for the latter risk factor. Other preventive measures in addition to vaccination are needed to control the risk of hepatitis B infection and other parenteral diseases due to surgical intervention and dental therapy.
Central necrosis in uterine sarcoma De Bruyn, C; Taliento, C; Van Rompuy, A-S ...
Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology,
2024-Apr-26, 2024-04-26, 20240426
Journal Article
Background
There are limited data regarding COVID‐19 vaccination during pregnancy.
Objectives
To evaluate the effects of COVID‐19 vaccination received during pregnancy on SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, ...COVID‐19‐related hospitalisation, COVID‐19‐related intensive care unit (ICU) admission and maternal–fetal complications.
Search strategy
MEDLINE, CINHAL, Embase, Scopus and CENTRAL databases, as well as ClinicalTrials.gov, reference lists, related articles and grey literature sources.
Selection criteria
Randomised controlled trials, non‐randomised studies of interventions, pregnant women, COVID‐19 vaccination during pregnancy.
Data collection and analysis
Study selection, risk‐of‐bias assessment, data extraction and assessment of the certainty of evidence using the GRADE method were performed independently by two authors. Meta‐analyses were performed using Cochrane RevMan 5.4. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022308849.
Main results
We included 14 observational studies (362 353 women). The administration of a COVID‐19 vaccine during pregnancy resulted in a statistically significant reduction in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.28–0.76) and COVID‐19‐related hospitalisation (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.33–0.51). The effect appeared to be greater in fully vaccinated women, for both infection (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.16–0.59) and hospitalisation (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.10–0.21). However, the certainty of evidence was very low. The difference in COVID‐19‐related ICU admission between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals did not reach statistical significance (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.13–2.58). Finally, there were no statistically significant differences in any of the maternal–fetal complications considered in the included studies.
Conclusions
COVID‐19 vaccination administered during pregnancy seems to reduce SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and COVID‐19‐related hospitalisation, with no significant effects on maternal–fetal complications.
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