Impact of gastrointestinal side effects on patients’ reported quality of life trajectories after radiotherapy for prostate cancer: Data from the prospective, observational pros-it CNR study

Radiotherapy (RT) represents an important therapeutic option for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The aim of the current study is to examine trajectories in patients’ reported quality of life (QoL) aspects related to bowel function and bother, considering data from the PROState cancer monitoring in ITaly from the National Research Council (Pros-IT CNR) study, analyzed with growth mixture models. Data for patients who underwent RT, either associated or not associated with androgen deprivation therapy, were considered. QoL outcomes were assessed over a 2-year period from the diagnosis, using the Italian version of the University of California Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index (Italian-UCLA-PCI). Three trajectories were identified for the bowel function; having three or more comorbidities and the use of 3D-CRT technique for RT were associated with the worst trajectory (OR = 3.80, 95% CI 2.04–7.08; OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.22–3.87, respectively). Two trajectories were identified for the bowel bother scores; diabetes and the non-Image guided RT method were associated with being in the worst bowel bother trajectory group (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.06–2.67; OR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.70–3.86, respectively). The findings from this study suggest that the absence of comorbidities and the use of intensity modulated RT techniques with image guidance are related with a better tolerance to RT in terms of bowel side effects

Behavioral characterization of mouse models of neuroferritinopathy.

Ferritin is the main intracellular protein of iron storage with a central role in the regulation of iron metabolism and detoxification. Nucleotide insertions in the last exon of the ferritin light chain cause a neurodegenerative disease known as Neuroferritinopathy, characterized by iron deposition in the brain, particularly in the cerebellum, basal ganglia and motor cortex. The disease progresses relentlessly, leading to dystonia, chorea, motor disability and neuropsychiatry features. The characterization of a good animal model is required to compare and contrast specific features with the human disease, in order to gain new insights on the consequences of chronic iron overload on brain function and behavior. To this aim we studied an animal model expressing the pathogenic human FTL mutant 498InsTC under the phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) promoter. Transgenic (Tg) mice showed strong accumulation of the mutated protein in the brain, which increased with age, and this was accompanied by brain accumulation of ferritin/iron bodies, the main pathologic hallmark of human neuroferritinopathy. Tg-mice were tested throughout development and aging at 2-, 8- and 18-months for motor coordination and balance (Beam Walking and Footprint tests). The Tg-mice showed a significant decrease in motor coordination at 8 and 18 months of age, with a shorter latency to fall and abnormal gait. Furthermore, one group of aged naïve subjects was challenged with two herbicides (Paraquat and Maneb) known to cause oxidative damage. The treatment led to a paradoxical increase in behavioral activation in the transgenic mice, suggestive of altered functioning of the dopaminergic system. Overall, data indicate that mice carrying the pathogenic FTL498InsTC mutation show motor deficits with a developmental profile suggestive of a progressive pathology, as in the human disease. These mice could be a powerful tool to study the neurodegenerative mechanisms leading to the disease and help developing specific therapeutic targets

Expression of non-muscle myosin heavy chain in rat heart after immunosuppressive treatment

Myosins constitute a large family of molecular motors, hydrolyzing ATP and producing cellular movement. To date, a large number of novel isoforms have been found in muscle and non-muscle cells. Among non-muscle myosins, non-muscle myosin heavy chain (NMHC) II-A and II-B have been well characterized. An additional member of NMHC II-B, with a molecular weight of 220 kDa, was recently identified in bovine skeletal muscle. NMHC II-B proteins, in particular, have been suggested to be a useful early molecular marker for the detection of pathological conditions during acute or chronic organ rejection in which fibrotic changes occur. Since it is known that treatment with cyclosporine A (CsA), an immunosuppressive drug successfully used for preventing organ rejection and autoimmune diseases, is often associated with several side effects (hypertension and nephrotoxicity), the aims of this study were: (1) to demonstrate the homology of the new NMHC protein (220 kDa) in other mammalian species, such as Wistar rats; (2) to evaluate, by morphological and immunohistochemical studies, the possible changes induced by CsA treatment in NMHC protein (220 kDa) cellular localization and/or in its expression levels in myocardial tissue. First of all, our results showed a greater homology of the new NMHC within the same isoforms across species and between isoforms in the same specie; moreover, we observed that this protein increased following CsA treatment. This could be explained as a tentative of cardiac tissue to maintain the structural integrity of intercalated disks and so the contraction/relaxation process

Communities, Sport, Inclusion. Strategies for Parish Complexes Social Reactivation Through Sport Practice Promotion

The following contribution presents some findings deriving from the research project "Sport is Society" by Politecnico di Milano. The research reflects on the built heritage and its ability to be accessible and usable for different users with different needs in its structures and offer of services, focusing on sports activities and spaces. The study refers to collective ecclesiastical structures in the contemporary city. The research in this area demonstrates the possible degrees of innovation regarding the increase in the inclusiveness of private facilities with a public vocation, where sport represents a driver of social inclusion for the community. The research proposes advice to guarantee inclusive sports facilities for the community, highlighting the strict relationship between the inclusive city and the ecclesiastical heritage, as an emerging issue to be investigated and solved. Starting from its relevance and the potential of the structures to become a truly "accessible patrimony”, the tool suggests strategies for policymakers and ecclesiastical administrations to make them become "open services" - usable and accessible by all - for and inside the urban community

Role of mast cells in wound healing process after glass-fiber composite implant in rats

Glass-fiber composites are frequently used in dentistry. In order to evaluate their biocompatibility we tested, in an experimental model "in vivo", their tissue response pointing our attention on presence of mast cells (MCs) and fibrotic process. Sprague Dawley rats were used for the experimental design. The fibers were introduced in a subcutaneous pocket along the middle dorsal line between the two scapulas for 7, 14 or 21 days. At the end of the treatments the skins were excised and then processed for Toluidine Blue, to determine the presence of MCs, and Picrosirius Red staining, to evaluate the presence of fibrotic tissue. Our preliminary results showed and increase of both MC number and deposition of collagen type I, which characterized the fibrotic tissue. So, subsequent aims of our study were to evaluate the role played by MCs in tissue fibrosis and to give a possible explanation regarding the mechanisms that were responsible of biological response observed, through the analyses of some proteins, such as metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), its inhibitor (TIMP-2) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Our data confirmed the involvement of TGF-beta, released by MCs, in the disruption of the equilibrium between MMP-2 and TIMP-2 that were implicated in the enhancement of fibrosis. In summary, this study demonstrate that this type of materials induced an inflammatory response at the site of implant and help to clarify what type of mechanism and which proteins are involved in this biological response. Nevertheless, more extensive investigations are in progress to better evaluate the inflammatory process

Beneficial Effects of Concentrated Growth Factors and Resveratrol on Human Osteoblasts in Vitro Treated with Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are primary pharmacological agents against osteoclast-mediated bone loss and widely used in the clinical practice for prevention and treatment of a variety of skeletal conditions, such as low bone density and osteogenesis imperfecta, and pathologies, such as osteoporosis, malignancies metastatic to bone, Paget disease of bone, multiple myeloma, and hypercalcemia of malignancy. However, long-term bisphosphonate treatment is associated with pathologic conditions including osteonecrosis of the jaw, named BRONJ, which impaired bone regeneration process. Clinical management of BRONJ is controversy and one recent approach is the use of platelet concentrates, such as Concentrated Growth Factors, alone or together with biomaterials or antioxidants molecules, such as resveratrol. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effects of Concentrated Growth Factors and/or resveratrol on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts, treated or not with bisphosphonates. Human osteoblasts were stimulated for 3 days in complete medium and for 21 days in mineralization medium. At the end of the experimental period, the in vitro effect on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation was evaluated using different techniques such as MTT, ELISA for the quantification/detection of osteoprotegerin and bone morphogenetic protein-2, immunohistochemistry for sirtuin 1 and collagen type I, and the Alizarin Red S staining for the rate of mineralization. Results obtained showed that Concentrated Growth Factors and/or resveratrol significantly increased osteoblast proliferation and differentiation and that the cotreatment with Concentrated Growth Factors and resveratrol had a protective role on osteoblasts treated with bisphosphonates. In conclusion, these data suggest that this approach could be promised in the clinical management of BRONJ

Evaluation of exogenous human FTL mRNA in the indicated areas of the brain of 8 month-old Tg-mice.

<p>Solid circles for males and the empty ones for females. The horizontal lines are the means. Data obtained by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The transcript of the transgene was higher in males than females, and higher in the hippocampus > cortex > cerebellum > midbrain.</p

Formare l’Hospital Planner. L’esperienza Del Master Congiunto In ‘Pianificazione, Programmazione E Progettazione Dei Sistemi Ospedalieri E Socio-Sanitari’

Introduzione. I nuovi valori sociali, ambientali ed economici hanno una forte in uenza sulla salute pubblica. Questo comporta cambiamenti d’indirizzo dei luoghi preposti alla promozione e al recupero della salute, i quali si collocano al centro di un nuovo sistema socio-sanitario sottoposto a profonde trasformazioni strutturali e organizzative. Attraverso l’analisi della normativa in materia di requisiti organizzativi, strutturali, tecnologici e impiantistici inerenti all’architettura sanitaria, della letteratura internazionale su ruolo e funzioni degli ospedali, nonché di interventi attuati, da diversi anni è attivo il Master ‘Piani cazione, Programmazione e Progettazione dei Sistemi Ospedalieri e Socio-sanitari’. Contenuti. L’offerta didattica, organizzata da Politecnico di Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano e Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore “A. Gemelli” di Roma, è caratterizzata dalla multidisciplinarietà e multi-professionalità del corpo docente che fanno di questo Master un percorso formativo con pochi uguali in Italia per quanti intendano seguire, su diversi fronti professionali, gli ambiti legati alla progettazione, organizzazione e gestione delle strutture ospedaliere e socio-sanitarie. Risultati. Giunto alla sua VI edizione, al Master hanno partecipato sinora 72 allievi (64% donne e 36% uomini), dei quali il 61% architetti, 30% ingegneri, 7% medici, 2% tecnici della prevenzione e 1% infermieri; il 68% dei frequentanti proviene da attività professionale già in corso. Lo stage curriculare vede un’allocazione del 54% presso Aziende Ospedaliere/Aziende Sanitarie Locali, 41% presso studi professionali/società di ingegneria, 4% in enti di ricerca e 1% in altri enti. Destinatari. Il Master colma l’assenza di una gura professionale già presente in molti contasti internazionali, l’Hospital Planner, strategica per la con gurazione dei processi e la razionalizzazione delle risorse. Il corso coinvolge progettisti, medici e le professioni sanitarie

Innovative geo-referencing system for epidemiological investigation of Legionella outbreaks in Lombardy Region (Italy)

Cities have become pivotal in health promotion strategies, as the urban environment majorly impacts population’s wellbeing. A proper urban design and the use of appropriate technologies are important in preventing risk factors for infectious disease, such as legionellosis. Legionella pneumophila, a gram-negative bacteria that predominantly affects respiratory tract, is extensively spread in most communities and working environments, health and social care facilities, contaminating water tanks and towers. Early localization of outbreaks and adequate disinfection of water reduce the chances of pathogen transmission. Materials and Methods A retrospective study of all cases of legionellosis that occurred in Lombardy Region during the three-year interval 2018-2020 was carried out. All data were retrieved from the regional Data Warehouse and the Infectious Disease Management On-Line System. The study was carried out in compliance with the "Guidelines for the prevention and control of legionellosis". Results Legionella pneumophila follows a fixed spatio-temporal pattern as it concentrates in urban settings during summer and fall months. Throughout the three-year interval, about 1,000 cases were reported each year, 1,096, 1,051 and 806 respectively, corresponding to an incidence rate of 10.9, 10.5 and 8.0 per 100,000 population. The highest number of cases was recorded by the Local Health Agencies of Milan and Insubria, specifically around the areas of Como and Busto Arsizio. Discussion Lombardy Region is developing a geo-referencing system (GEOSA) with the aim of creating a Geographic Viewer that will report natural and anthropogenic features of different living, collective and working facilities in the territory. This tool is useful for investigating the effects of environmental exposures in urban and suburban settings. The software provides information regarding the environment in which a Legionella outbreak develops, supplying the exact location and contributing to the analysis of the structure from which it may originate