Unitn-eprints: risultati di utilizzo, prospettive di sviluppo

The digital institutional archive Unitn-eprints, containing reserach outputs by the academic community of the University of Trento, was born in 2002. In this paper we analyze the software customization, some usage results and statistics, and its future perspectives and developments in connection with research evaluation systems

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease, with it’s incidence growing in developed countries, as the population ages. When it becomes symptomatic it tends to take a rapidly progressive course and soon requires intervention in the form of aortic valve replacement. If left untreated, mortality rates are as high as 50% within 2 years of symptom onset. Surgical replacement of the aortic valve can significantly increase survival in such patients and reduce symptoms of the disease. Unfortunately, the existence of many comorbidities are often found in such patients and may severely influence the operative risk and outcome of the aortic valve replacement surgical procedure, thence many patients are doomed inoperable and unfit for surgery. This category of inoperable patients comprises up to 30% of cases of severe symptomatic AS. Up until 2002, this group of patients did not have a viable alternative treatment. In 2002, however, the first transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure was performed where the valve was introduced to the appropriate position by means of a catheter. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is now the treatment of choice for high risk and inoperable patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Despite increasing advantages of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, however, several important setbacks and complications still exist and many improvements to the procedure are possible and necessary

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease, with it’s incidence growing in developed countries, as the population ages. When it becomes symptomatic it tends to take a rapidly progressive course and soon requires intervention in the form of aortic valve replacement. If left untreated, mortality rates are as high as 50% within 2 years of symptom onset. Surgical replacement of the aortic valve can significantly increase survival in such patients and reduce symptoms of the disease. Unfortunately, the existence of many comorbidities are often found in such patients and may severely influence the operative risk and outcome of the aortic valve replacement surgical procedure, thence many patients are doomed inoperable and unfit for surgery. This category of inoperable patients comprises up to 30% of cases of severe symptomatic AS. Up until 2002, this group of patients did not have a viable alternative treatment. In 2002, however, the first transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure was performed where the valve was introduced to the appropriate position by means of a catheter. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is now the treatment of choice for high risk and inoperable patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Despite increasing advantages of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, however, several important setbacks and complications still exist and many improvements to the procedure are possible and necessary

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease, with it’s incidence growing in developed countries, as the population ages. When it becomes symptomatic it tends to take a rapidly progressive course and soon requires intervention in the form of aortic valve replacement. If left untreated, mortality rates are as high as 50% within 2 years of symptom onset. Surgical replacement of the aortic valve can significantly increase survival in such patients and reduce symptoms of the disease. Unfortunately, the existence of many comorbidities are often found in such patients and may severely influence the operative risk and outcome of the aortic valve replacement surgical procedure, thence many patients are doomed inoperable and unfit for surgery. This category of inoperable patients comprises up to 30% of cases of severe symptomatic AS. Up until 2002, this group of patients did not have a viable alternative treatment. In 2002, however, the first transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure was performed where the valve was introduced to the appropriate position by means of a catheter. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is now the treatment of choice for high risk and inoperable patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Despite increasing advantages of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, however, several important setbacks and complications still exist and many improvements to the procedure are possible and necessary

A Clinico Epidemiological study on Adverse Cutaneous Drug Reactions

INTRODUCTION : A drug may be defined as a chemical substance, or combination of substances, administered for the investigation, prevention or treatment of diseases or symptoms, real or imagined. An adverse drug reaction (ADR) may be defined as an undesirable clinical manifestation resulting from administration of a particular drug; this includes reactions due to overdose, predictable side effects and unanticipated adverse manifestations. ADR can also be defined as ‘an appreciably harmful or unpleasant reaction, resulting from an intervention related to the use of a medicinal product, which predicts hazard from future administration and warrants prevention or specific treatment, or alteration of the dosage regimen, or withdrawal of the product’. ADRs are underreported and are an underestimated cause of morbidity and mortality; it has been estimated that ADRs represent the fourth to the sixth leading cause of death. Adverse Cutaneous Drug Reactions (ACDRs) are probably the most frequent manifestations of all drug sensitivity reactions although their incidence is difficult to determine. Very few published studies have assessed the epidemiological and clinical features of drug reactions in India and still fewer in South India. Hence this study was undertaken to assess the pattern and clinical features of ACDRs and common drugs causing them in South Tamilnadu. AIM OF THE STUDY : 1. To study the clinicoepidemiological pattern of various adverse cutaneous drug reactions in patients attending SKIN OPD, Government Rajaji Hospital. 2. To study the common drugs causing adverse cutaneous drug reactions. MATERIALS AND METHODS : This study was a prospective, observational study conducted at the skin OPD, Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai Medical College, Madurai during the period from October 2009-September 2011[24 months]. Inclusion criteria: All consecutive consenting patients diagnosed clinically as a case of adverse cutaneous drug reaction of all age groups, of all genders, during the study period were included in the study. Exclusion criteria: Non consenting patients, and patients with morphological pattern of adverse cutaneous drug reaction, but were unable to provide an exact history of drug intake. Patients satisfying the criteria were included in the study and demographic details were recorded. A detailed clinical history including duration, site of onset, symptoms, drug history, family history were elicited. A complete general examination, systemic examination and dermatological examination were made. Digital photographs were taken. The morphology and distribution of skin lesions, concomitant affection of mucosa, hair, nails, palms, soles, genital involvement was meticulously recorded and presence of any other associated diseases were noted. SUMMARY : 1) Incidence: Out of all patients attending SKIN OPD during the study period of 24 months 163 patients were diagnosed with ACDR, which constituted to 0.15 %. 2. Occurrence of various clinical types of ACDRs : Out of the total 163 patients FDE was the most common ACDR seen in 84 cases, Urticaria and Maculopapular rash in 15 cases each, Erythroderma in 11 cases, Urticaria with angioedema in 10 cases, DRESS & SJS in 7 cases, TEN in 6 patients, EMF in 5 patients, Acneiform eruptions in 2 cases and a single case of phototoxic reaction. 3. Age distribution in various ACDRs: The maximum no. of cases that is 39.87% of patients were falling between 31-50 years of age group. The youngest patient was 3 months old & oldest patient was 75 years. 4. Gender distribution in ACDRs: An almost equal incidence of occurrence in both males & females was noted, with a slight male predominance.82 cases were males & 81 cases were females. 5. Site of involvement in various types of ACDRs : 84 patients had only cutaneous involvement.Both cutaneous and mucosal involvement was seen in 79 out of 163 patients. Out of these 49 had oral mucosal involvement only, 5 had genital mucosal involvement only, 24 had both oral and genital mucosal involvement. 6. Recurrent episodes in various types of ACDRs: Recurrent episodes were seen in 76 patients out of 163. DRESS, TEN, Erythroderma, Acneiform eruption and phototoxic reaction patients never had any previous episodes of recurrences. 7. Various drug classes involved in ACDRs: The commonest drug class involved was antimicrobials with 11 drugs, followed by NSAIDs with 7 drugs, next common was anticonvulsants with 3 drugs and least common was seen with antidepressants and cancer chemotherapy with a single drug. 8. Drugs commonly involved in ACDRs: Cotrimoxazole was the commonest drug causing ACDR which was found in 37 cases followed by Phenytoin and Doxycycline in 15 cases each, Amoxycillin in 13cases, Paracetamol in 10 cases, Nevirapine in 9 cases, Ciprofloxacin in 8 cases, Carbamezapine in 6 cases, Cefixime in 5 cases, Diclofenac, penicillin and Ibuprofen in 4 cases each, Sodium valproate, Piroxicam, Aspirin, Metronidazole & Nimesulide in 3 cases each. Tetracycline, Chloroquine, Isoniazid & Cefoperazone in 2 cases each. Mefenemic acid, Griseofulvin, Norfloxacin, Dapsone, Phenobarbitone, Imipramine, Imatinib mesylate & Efavirenz each were incriminated in 1 case each. 9. Drugs and ACDRs caused by them: Cotrimoxazole was found in 26 FDE cases, 5 cases of urticaria, 3 cases of urticaria with angioedema, 1 case each of SJS and EMF. Phenytoin in 8 cases of maculopapular rash , 5 cases of DRESS, 1 case of TEN, 1 case of SJS. Amoxycillin was seen in 9 cases of FDE, 1 case each of urticaria, SJS, Erythroderma, Maculopapular rash.Nevirapine was implicated in 2 cases of TEN, 3 cases of erythroderma,4 cases of maculopapular rash. Paracetamol was seen in 2 cases each of FDE, urticaria, urticaria with angioedema & 1 case each of TEN & EMF. Carbamezapine was seen in 2 cases each of FDE & Erythroderma and in 1 case each of TEN & SJS .Cefixime was seen with 3 cases of FDE, 1 case each of Urticaria, DRESS & maculopapular rash.Diclofenac sodium & Ibuprofen were associated with 4 cases each of FDE. Sodium valproate : 1 case of FDE, 2 cases of maculopapular rash, total of 3 cases. Piroxicam : 2 cases of FDE, a case of urticaria . 10. Site of involvement for common individual drugs: Cotrimoxazole was the most common drug causing cutaneous in 12 and both involvement in 15 cases, followed by doxycycline and phenytoin each in 6 cases of cutaneous and 9 cases of both. Amoxycillin in 6 cutaneous and both in 7 cases. Paracetamol in 6 cutaneous and both in 4 cases. Nevirapine in 3 cutaneous cases and 6 of both cases. Carbamezapine in 4 cutaneous and 2 case of both. Ciprofloxacin in 7 cases of cutaneous and 1 case of both, Cefixime in 1 case of cutaneous and 4 cases of both, Diclofenac and Ibuprofen each in 2 cases in both categories, Sodium valproate and Piroxicam each in 2 cases of cutaneous and 1 case of both skin and mucosal involvement. 11. Associated diseases in ACDRs: Maximum number of cases were seen with patients taking drugs for underlying upper respiratory tract infections; 32 (19.63%), followed by seizure disorders 24 (14.72%) cases, then followed by fever and headache 18 (11.04%) cases, HIV was seen in 10 (6.13%) cases, equal no. of patients that is 9 (5.52%) cases were seen for both lower respiratory tract infections and dental caries & gingivitis. Among chronic long standing diseases Diabetes mellitus was seen in 7 (4.29%) cases, Hypertension was seen in 6(3.68%) cases, both diabetes and hypertension were seen in 4 (2.4%) cases. Urinary tract infections were seen in 6 (3.68%) cases, 4 (2.4%) cases each of arthritis and bursitis & acute and chronic suppurative otitis media were seen. 3 (1.84%) cases each of tuberculous meningitis, malaria, acute diarrhea, myalgia & typhoid were seen. 2 (1.22%) cases of pyoderma were seen. Single cases each of leprosy, depression, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, epididymoorchitis & external hordeolum were seen. 12. Family history in ACDRs: There was no positive family history in any of the cases. CONCLUSION : A total of 163 patients out of 1,03,536 were diagnosed with ACDRs. The incidence of Cutaneous adverse drug reaction in this study was 0.15% during this study period of 2 years. Maximum number of the patients were in the 4thand 5th decade, closely followed by patients in 1st and 3rd decades.Both the genders were almost equally involved with a slight predominance of male patients. Fixed drug eruption was the commonest type of ACDR followed by Urticaria and Maculopapular rash, next closely followed by erythroderma . Out of all the ACDRs 84 cases had exclusive cutaneous involvement only. Both skin and mucosa were involved in rest of the 79 cases. Out of these 79 cases 47 had only oral mucosal involvement, 5 had genital mucosal involvement only and 27 had both the mucosa involved. Recurrent episodes were seen in 76 patients of all the total cases. The commonest class of drug causing ACDR was antimicrobials, among these antimicrobials antibacterials were the commonest subclass involved. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the second commonest followed by anticonvulsants. Other groups which caused ACDR were antidepressants and cancer chemotherapy. Amongst all the drugs Cotrimoxazole was the commonest drug causing ACDR followed by equal involvement of phenytoin and doxycycline . Among the individual ACDRs, FDE was most commonly caused by Cotrimoxazole. Mucosal involvement was most commonly seen with Cotrimoxazole followed by Phenytoin and doxycycline in succession. None of the patients had a positive family history of drug reaction. Upper respiratory tract infection was the most common underlying systemic disorder following which patients had consumed the drug and developed ACDR

Quirky NPs with Special Reference to Close Apposition

The intention of this dissertation has been to argue for the view that English Noun Phrases do not follow a straightforward, syntactic design. Traditionally considered as the easiest and simplest of all the constructions of language, the NP structure has turned out to comprise quite a varied group of forms. As a consequence, the NP category has provided an excellent illustration of the richness of language

Sport Opportunities for Collegiate Students with Disabilities: A Mixed Methods Review of Current Program Offerings, Barriers, and Facilitators

Students with disabilities are not being afforded the same access to sporting opportunities as their peers without disabilities. The purpose of this dissertation was to build on a foundation of information regarding collegiate adaptive sports through a Critical Disabilities Studies lens. Specific aims included: (1) identifying and describing intercollegiate, adaptive athletics programs in the US, (2) examining facilitators and barriers to existing intercollegiate, adaptive athletics programs in the US. Qualitative survey findings from program stakeholders (N=14) were organized through Slack & Parent’s sport organization categories (2006) for robust understanding. Perhaps the most interesting finding was diversity in the structure of programs, despite their common goal. Further case study design including current intercollegiate adaptive programs (N=3) revealed an underlying vision of programmatic institutionalization within their housed university. This vision illuminated programmatic barriers and facilitators which can inform future initiative direction, including policy, with the voices from the community at the center

System-Aufstellungen und ihre naturwissenschaftliche Begründung

In dieser Open-Access-Publikation liefert Thomas Gehlert eine konsistente, auf aktuellen Experimenten und Theorien basierte, fundierte natur- und neurowissenschaftliche Theorie, die den zugrundeliegenden Prozess bei Intuition (Bauchgefühl) und System-Aufstellung beschreiben kann. Damit schließt er eine theoretische Lücke, die die breite Akzeptanz unzähliger experimenteller Ergebnisse in Entscheidungstheorie- und Intuitionsforschung verhinderte. Darauf aufbauend darf die System-Aufstellung als legitimierte Methode im Kontext von Unternehmensführung, strategischem Management und Entscheidungsfindung angesehen werden