La cultura dei servizi di accoglienza migranti in Italia. Una ricerca esplorativa [The culture of migrant reception services in Italy. An exploratory research]

Italy has a long history of immigration, which has become part of the country’s landscape in a complex and varied way, and has led to significant changes in important contexts such as in the school, the work place, and in the provision of welfare services. And yet, immigration policies still consist in emergency measures that do not recognize the phenomenon in its long -standing and structural dimension. In addition, public opinion is concerned as a result of the alarmist distortion of this issue, as shown by the gapbetween data on immigration and perceived immigration. Since in this research we take into consideration collusively shared experiences, these misunderstandings can not be corrected by providing more information on the real data; we posit that the emotional scope must be recognized in order to address this issue. In particular, we asked ourselves how this context -changes brought by immigration, public opinion, and government policies -is repre sented within the migrant Accordingly, we interviewed a group of reception staff from the Roman area on the type of service that they think they are offering. The results show how, in their experience, this complex reality of immigration is not evoked: the experience within the services is isolated from the Italian narrative and context. However, the voice of migrants and their point of view, emerge as a resource within these services, as openness rather than isolation

Acute demyelinating neuropathy associated with rituximab treatment in a patient with relapsing nephrotic syndrome

We encountered a 63-year-old woman who experienced acute onset of demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) after rituximab infusions to treat her nephrotic syndrome (NS

Building new business model from multiple case study research in the Internet of Me

The digital revolution has greatly changed the approach to culture, work, leisure time, the way we interact and communicate with people: the digitization of information has taken root and has become essential in all areas of social life as a phenomenon that guides and monitors the transformation of society in all its various forms, bringing great changes in almost all areas and especially in the world of work and industry. Industry 4.0 refers to a fourth industrial revolution (following water/steam power, mass production and automation through IT and robotics) and introduces the concept of "cyber-physical systems" to differentiate this new evolutionary phase from the electronic automation that has gone before. The term Industry 4.0 refers to the next phase in the digitization of the manufacturing sector, driven by four disruptions: 1) the astonishing rise in data volumes, computational power, and connectivity, especially new low-power wide-area networks; 2) the emergence of analytics and business-intelligence capabilities; 3) new forms of human-machine interaction such as touch interfaces and augmented-reality systems; 4) improvements in transferring digital instructions to the physical world, such as advanced robotics and 3-D printing. One of the core elements of the fourth industrial revolution is the systematic application of IoT technologies (Internet of Things) and IoM (Internet of Me) to production processes on a global scale. The aim of the paper is primarily an analysis of what are the possible future benefits of IoT and IoM, trying to understand the effort and their opportunities for a consumer oriented business. Then to analyze the competitive advantage that companies are pursuing when they implement a business which is IoT / IoM oriented. The project research question relates to the possible extrapolation of a standardized behavioural pattern, in order to draw guidelines for companies who want to start a similar strategic management, through the direct experiences of an Italian start-up first mover group in the sectors involved in IoT and IoM revolution, defining risks, opportunities and threats. Theresearch presents two phases methodologically joinedbetween them: from a theoretical point of view it is defined the change from the Business Model towards the “ecosystem” of Business Model in the strategy IoT/IoM oriented,and from a empirical point of view the business development of some start-up companies using IoT and IoM technologies is studied, through the direct interview qualitative tool

Novel organ-specific effects of Ketoprofen and its enantiomer, dexketoprofen on toxicological response transcripts and their functional products in salmon

Racemic ketoprofen (RS-KP) and its enantiomer, dexketoprofen (S(+)-KP) are widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and commonly detected in the aquatic environment. The present study has evaluated the toxicological effects of RS-KP and S(+)-KP on biotransformation and oxidative stress responses in gills and liver of Atlantic salmon. Fish were exposed for 10 days using different concentrations of RS-KP (1, 10 and 100 μg/L) and S(+)-KP (0.5, 5 and 50 μg/L). Biotransformation and oxidative stress responses were analysed at both transcript and functional levels. In the gills, significant inhibitory effect at transcriptional and enzymatic levels were observed for biotransformation and oxidative stress responses. On the contrary, biotransformation responses were significantly increased at transcriptional and translational levels in the liver, while the associated enzymatic activities did not parallel this trend and were inhibited and further demonstrated by principal component analysis (PCA). Our findings showed that both compounds produced comparable toxicological effects, by producing organ-specific effect differences. RS-KP and S(+)-KP did not bioaccumulate in fish muscle, either due to rapid metabolism or excretion as a result of their hydrophobic properties. Interestingly, the inhibitory effects observed in the gills suggest that these drugs may not undergo first pass metabolism, that might result to downstream differences in toxicological outcomes

Novel organ-specific effects of Ketoprofen and its enantiomer, dexketoprofen on toxicological response transcripts and their functional products in salmon.

Racemic ketoprofen (RS-KP) and its enantiomer, dexketoprofen (S(+)-KP) are widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and commonly detected in the aquatic environment. The present study has evaluated the toxicological effects of RS-KP and S(+)-KP on biotransformation and oxidative stress responses in gills and liver of Atlantic salmon. Fish were exposed for 10 days using different concentrations of RS-KP (1, 10 and 100 μg/L) and S(+)-KP (0.5, 5 and 50 μg/L). Biotransformation and oxidative stress responses were analysed at both transcript and functional levels. In the gills, significant inhibitory effect at transcriptional and enzymatic levels were observed for biotransformation and oxidative stress responses. On the contrary, biotransformation responses were significantly increased at transcriptional and translational levels in the liver, while the associated enzymatic activities did not parallel this trend and were inhibited and further demonstrated by principal component analysis (PCA). Our findings showed that both compounds produced comparable toxicological effects, by producing organ-specific effect differences. RS-KP and S(+)-KP did not bioaccumulate in fish muscle, either due to rapid metabolism or excretion as a result of their hydrophobic properties. Interestingly, the inhibitory effects observed in the gills suggest that these drugs may not undergo first pass metabolism, that might result to downstream differences in toxicological outcomes

REDUCTION OF INVASIVE DISEASE IN CHILDREN TWO DECADES AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B CONJUGATE VACCINATION IN APULIA REGION, ITALY

Background Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (Hib) monovalent vaccination, consisting of 2p+1 doses at 3, 5, and 11 months of age, was introduced in the Italy’s infant immunization schedule in 1999 and included in the DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib hexavalent vaccine since 2001. The estimated vaccination coverage was 83.4% in 2002, >90% by 2005, and >95% by 2011 [1-4]. In the Apulia region of Italy (about 4,000,000 inhabitants), vaccination coverage for 3 doses reached 75% in 2001, >90% by 2002, and >95% by 2007 (Graph. 1).Methods We considered annual age-specific hospitalization rates in infants <1 year and children 1-4 years as a proxy for incidence in the period 1996-2014. The attributable benefit was calculated as the reduction in incidence of Haemophilus influenzae invasive disease among vaccinated children attributable to the routine use of Hib monovalent vaccine during 1999-2000 (“Hib-monovalent period”) and of the hexavalent DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib vaccine in the period 2001-2014 (“DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib period”). The prevented fraction was calculated as the proportion of hypothetical total cases that were prevented by the use of monovalent and hexavalent vaccine, respectively (Panel A) [5]Results The hospitalization rate for Haemophilus influenzae invasive disease among infants decreased from 11.5 (95% CI= 1.4-21.6) per 100,000 in the 1996-1998 pre-vaccination period to 6 (95% CI= -1.4-13.3) per 100,000 in the “Hib-monovalent period”, with an estimated AleB of -5.5 per 100,000 and a PedF of 48.2%. It declined further to 1 (95% CI= -2.2-4.1) per 100,000 in the “DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib period”, with an AleB of -10.5 per 100,000 and a PedF of 91.6% (Graph. 2). The rate of hospitalization among children aged 1-4 year remained stable at 2.4 per 100.000 from the pre- vaccination period through “Hib-monovalent period” (AleB=0; PedF=2%) and declined to 0.1 (95% CI= - 0.4-0.7) per 100,000 in the “DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib period”, with an AleB of -2.3 per 100,000 and a PedF of 94.3% (Graph. 3)Conclusions * Hib-monovalent period - ** DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib period In the Apulia region of Italy, the proportion of Haemophilus influenzae invasive disease requiring hospitalization in children aged <5 years presumably prevented by the introduction of Hib universal vaccination amounted to more than nine in ten cases. These findings are consistent with increased vaccine coverage rates as a result of the wide use of the hexavalent combination vaccines

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: The New Challenges of Cardiac Rehabilitation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an increasingly widespread percutaneous intervention of aortic valve replacement (AVR). The target population for TAVI is mainly composed of elderly, frail patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), multiple comorbidities, and high perioperative mortality risk for surgical AVR (sAVR). These vulnerable patients could benefit from cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs after percutaneous intervention. To date, no major guidelines currently recommend CR after TAVI. However, emerging scientific evidence shows that CR in patients undergoing TAVI is safe, and improves exercise tolerance and quality of life. Moreover, preliminary data prove that a CR program after TAVI has the potential to reduce mortality during follow-up, even if randomized clinical trials are needed for confirmation. The present review article provides an overview of all scientific evidence concerning the potential beneficial effects of CR after TAVI, and suggests possible fields of research to improve cardiac care after TAVI

Cross-Linked Hyaluronan Derivatives in the Delivery of Phycocyanin

An easy and viable crosslinking technology, based on the “click-chemistry” reaction copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (click-crosslinking), was applied to graft copolymers of medium molecular weight (i.e., 270 kDa) hyaluronic acid (HA) grafted with ferulic acid (FA) residues bearing clickable propargyl groups, as well as caffeic acid derivatives bearing azidoterminated oligo(ethylene glycol) side chains. The obtained crosslinked materials were characterized from the point of view of their structure and aggregation liability to form hydrogels in a water environment. The most promising materials showed interesting loading capability regarding the antioxidant agent phycocyanin (PC). Two novel materials complexes (namely HA(270)-FA-TEGECCL- 20/PC and HA(270)-FA-HEGEC-CL-20/PC) were obtained with a drug-to-material ratio of 1:2 (w/w). Zeta potential measurements of the new complexes (−1.23 mV for HA(270)-FA-TEGECCL- 20/PC and −1.73 mV for HA(270)-FA-HEGEC-CL-20/PC) showed alterations compared to the zeta potential values of the materials on their own, suggesting the achievement of drug–material interactions. According to the in vitro dissolution studies carried out in different conditions, novel drug delivery systems (DDSs) were obtained with a variety of characteristics depending on the desired route of administration and, consequently, on the pH of the surrounding environment, thanks to the complexation of phycocyanin with these two new crosslinked materials. Both complexes showed excellent potential for providing a controlled/prolonged release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). They also increased the amount of drug that reach the target location, enabling pH-dependent release. Importantly, as demonstrated by the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the complexation process, involving freezing and freeze-drying, showed no adverse effects on the antioxidant activity of phycocyanin. This activity was preserved in the two novel materials and followed a concentration-dependent pattern similar to pure PC

Gonadal Function in Male Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer Treated With Sunitinib

Background/aim: Single-agent tyrosine kinase inhibitors are still prescribed as first-line treatment to a relevant subgroup of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). These agents are known to cause disfunction of many endocrine glands (e.g., thyroid). In this two-step trial, we aimed to assess gonadal function among male patients with mRCC treated with sunitinib. Patients and methods: We enrolled a first cross-sectional cohort of pre-treated (>6 months) patients and a subsequent cohort of treatment-naïve patients who were prospectively followed-up. All patients were screened for hypogonadism and received a Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) questionnaire at study entry and after 6 months of therapy. Patients who were candidates for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) also received a FACT-G questionnaire at baseline and 3 months after supplementation. Results: Among the 30 enrolled patients, the prevalence of hypogonadism was found to be higher in those receiving sunitinib for a longer period (27.3% at baseline, 41.7% in the first 6 months, and 68.4% after 9 months of therapy). The testosterone level of patients correlated with quality of life (R=0.32). A total of six patients received TRT, with a significant improvement in their global quality of life after the first 3 months of treatment. Conclusion: An increasing prevalence of hypogonadism was seen among male patients who received long-term treatment with sunitinib. TRT was associated with relevant improvements in quality of life. These findings corroborate similar published observations and encourage the assessment of gonadal function in male patients with mRCC under treatment with sunitinib