A HYPOTHESIS OF ETIOLOGY OF ATRAUMATIC ACL INJURIES

Atraumatic ACL injury has become more and more frequent especially in sport population. The causes which determine the ACL rupture, have not been identified and the possible relationship between proprioception and subjective function has not been adequately studied. Several authors (Schutte et al. 1987, Schultz et al. 1984) have found the mechanoreceptors in the cruciate ligament, and such receptors formed by muscle spindles, receptors in tendons and in skin determine a complex system for knee joint proprioception. Our starting hypothesis is that a possible cause of ACL lesion could be due to temporary inhibition of the muscular control following an alteration of the propioceptive joint control. The purpose of this study was to verify by a kinesiologic procedure if some stimulation of the subtalus joint could induce an inadequate recruitment of muscle fibers activation

Guideline proposal for pharma companies to manage pharmacovigilance activities in digital media

Internet has become a central part of our everyday lives. Digital media are integrated in our daily routines and play a critical role in the dissemination of public health information and disease prevention guidelines. For this reason, digital activities are becoming more and more impacting in pharma company activities and this is an increasing trend after the pandemic period. Managing digital activities from pharmacovigilance (PV) perspective may have challenges linked to correct assessment of the activities and application of PV rules: this was underlined in recent publications, where the need to have more specific guidelines linked to digital activities management was evidenced. Considering this scenario and the continuous evolution of the digital activities, the SIMEF PV working group decided to work on a proposal guideline to provide support to PV departments in pharma companies, suggesting a framework to manage sponsored digital activities (i.e., website, web apps, social media webpage, chatbots) impacting potential collection of adverse events (AEs). The purpose of this guideline is to provide useful instructions on how to manage PV requirements for digital activities, suggesting potential solutions for assessing initiatives, creating governance framework, conducting a correct vendor management, and suggesting practical approaches for AEs reporting and follow-up. The aim of this document is also to trigger a broader discussion among relevant stakeholders on which PV guidelines may be useful and appropriate considering this continuous evolving scenario

Porphyria cutanea tarda and hepatitis G and C virus infection

[No abstract available

Recurrence of hepatitis C virus infection after orthotopic liver transplantation: role of genotypes

In this study, we evaluated the correlation beetwen alanine aminotrasferase levels and hepatitis C virus genotypes in liver transplant patients. We studied 18 patients who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation because of end-stage cirrhosis (n=9) or hepatocellular carcinoma (n=9) hepatitis C virus related. Serum HCV-RNA testing was performed monthly on ali the 18 series of serum samples from the first week after liver transplant until the end of the follow up, this period ranging from 1 to 39 months. After liver transplantation, serum HCV-RNA was detected in 14 patients (78%). Of the 8 patients infected with subtype lb, 1 remained asymptomatic, 2 developed acute liver failure and 5 developed chronic hepatitis. In patients infected with types la (Choo et al, 1989), 2a (Choo et al, 1989), with a mixed infection lb/3 (Kuo et al, 1989) or with an undetermined genotype, significant laboratory abnormalities were not observed. Recurrence of hepatitis C virus infection after liver transplantation is common, and recurrent hepatitis occurs in 50% of cases. Genotype lb appears to be associated with a higher rate of recurrent hepatitis, compared to other genotypes

Diagnostic Value of Anti-Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Core Immunoglobulin M in Recurrence of HCV Infection after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

The significance of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) core immunoglobulin M (IgM) and its relationship with genotypes, alanine aminotransferase abnormality, and histological data were studied for 18 patients who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation due to HCV-related end-stage disease. During follow-up, IgM response seemed to be associated with the recurrence of HCV infection but did not correlate with abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels and histological data. In addition, the results of this study indicated that the detection of HCV RNA is critical for diagnosis of reinfection in liver transplantation

Anthropometric and Strength Variables to Predict Freestyle Performance Times in Elite Master Swimmers

The aims of this study were to determine in elite master swimmers of both genders whether, using anthropometric variables and the hand grip strength measure, it was possible to predict freestyle performance time, whether the considered predictors were related similarly to different events (50, 1 00, 200, 400, BOO m), and whether they were the same in male and female master swimmers. The relationships between performance times and age, body mass, height, arm length, forearm length, forearm muscle volume, and hand grip strength were examined in 135 elite master swimmers. Pearson's simple correlation coefficients were calculated and then prediction equations were developed. Age, height, and hand grip strength were the best predictors in short-distance events, whereas only age and height were predictors in middle- and long-distance events

Anthropometric and strength variables to predict freestyle performance times in elite master swimmers

The aims of this study were to determine in elite master swimmers of both genders whether, using anthropometric variables and the hand grip strength measure, it was possible to predict freestyle performance time, whether the considered predictors were related similarly to different events (50, 100, 200, 400, 800 m), and whether they were the same in male and female master swimmers. The relationships between performance times and age, body mass, height, arm length, forearm length, forearm muscle volume, and hand grip strength were examined in 135 elite master swimmers. Pearson's simple correlation coefficients were calculated and then prediction equations were developed. Age, height, and hand grip strength were the best predictors in short-distance events, whereas only age and height were predictors in middle- and long-distance events. The corresponding coefficient of determination (R2) of performance times were 0.84 in the 50-m event, 0.73 in the 100-m event, 0.75 in the 200-m event, 0.66 in the 400-m event, and 0.63 in the 800-m event. These regression equations were then cross-validated in a control group of 126 nonelite, age-matched swimmers, obtaining significant and good correlations for all distances (range, r = 0.67 and 0.83; p < 0.01), indicating that predictors are valid in an extended sample of master swimmers. Differences between sexes were not found in 50-m event, but were present in all other events. These models might be useful to determine individual performance times by contributing to improving the individual's training program and the selection of master swimmers. Coaches could have better accuracy in determining whether an athlete needs a strength training program in order to optimize performance time