MRI correlates of Parkinson's disease progression: A voxel based morphometry study

We investigated structural brain differences between a group of early-mild PD patients at different phases of the disease and healthy subjects using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). 20 mild PD patients compared to 15 healthy at baseline and after 2 years of follow-up. VBM is a fully automated technique, which allows the identification of regional differences in the gray matter enabling an objective analysis of the whole brain between groups of subjects. With respect to controls, PD patients exhibited decreased GM volumes in right putamen and right parietal cortex. After 2 years of disease, the same patients confirmed GM loss in the putamen and parietal cortex; a significant difference was also observed in the area of pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) and in the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR). PD is associated with brain morphological changes in cortical and subcortical structures. The first regions to be affected in PD seem to be the parietal cortex and the putamen. A third structure that undergoes atrophy is the part of the inferior-posterior midbrain, attributable to the PPN and MLR. Our findings provide new insight into the brain involvement in PD and could contribute to a better understanding of the sequence of events occurring in these patients

Chemical characterization of non-psychoactive Cannabis sativa L. extracts, in vitro antiproliferative activity and induction of apoptosis in chronic myelogenous leukaemia cancer cells

In this study, extracts from non-psychoactive Cannabis sativa L. varieties were characterized by means of ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) and their antiproliferative activity was assessed in vitro. The human chronic myelogenous leukaemia cell line K562 was chosen to investigate the mechanism of cell death. The effect on the cell cycle and cell death was analysed by flow cytometry. Proteins related to apoptosis were studied by western blotting. Mechanical properties of cells were assessed using the Micropipette Aspiration Technique (MAT). The results indicated that the cannabidiol (CBD)-rich extract inhibited cell proliferation of K562 cell line in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis via caspase 3 and 7 activation. A significant decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential was detected, together with the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. The main apoptotic markers were not involved in the mechanism of cell death. The extract was also able to modify the mechanical properties of cells. Thus, this hemp extract and its pure component CBD deserve further investigation for a possible application against myeloproliferative diseases, also in association with other anticancer drugs

Effects on management and outcome of severe sepsis and septic shock patients admitted to the intensive care unit after implementation of a sepsis program: a pilot study

INTRODUCTION: The application in clinical practice of evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with severe sepsis/septic shock is still poor in the emergency department, while little data are available for patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an in-hospital sepsis program on the adherence to evidence-based guidelines and outcome of patients with severe sepsis/septic shock admitted to the ICU.METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study included 67 patients with severe sepsis/septic shock admitted to a multidisciplinary ICU at a University Hospital from January 2005 to June 2007. Compliance to 5 resuscitation and 4 management sepsis interventions and in-hospital mortality were measured following an educational program on sepsis for physician and nurses of all hospital departments and hospital implementation of a specific protocol for recognition and management of patients with severe sepsis/septic shock, including an early consultation by a skilled 'sepsis team'.RESULTS: During the study period, the compliance to all 9 interventions increased from 8% to 35% of the patients (P < 0.01). The implementation of resuscitation and management interventions was associated with a lower risk of in-hospital mortality (23% vs 68% and 27% vs 68%, P < 0.01). In the latter 2 semesters, after activation of the 'sepsis team', in-hospital mortality of ICU septic shock patients decreased by about 40% compared with the previous period (32% vs 79%, P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, an in-hospital sepsis program, including education of health-care personnel and process-changes, improved the adherence to guidelines and the survival rate of patients with severe sepsis/septic shock admitted to the ICU

Treatment of wounds colonized by multidrug resistant organisms in immune-compromised patients: a retrospective case series.

Immune-compromised patients incur a high risk of surgical wound dehiscence and colonization by multidrug resistant organisms. Common treatment has been debridement and spontaneous secondary healing.All immune-compromised patients referred to our Institution between March 1, 2010 and November 30, 2011 for dehiscent abdominal wounds growing multidrug resistant organisms were treated by serial wound debridements and negative pressure dressing. They were primarily closed, despite positive microbiological cultures, when clinical appearance was satisfactory.Nine patients were treated by direct wound closure, five had been treated previously by secondary intention healing.According to our results, fast healing can be safely obtained by closure of a clinically healthy wound, despite growth of multidrug resistant organisms, even in immune-compromised patients

Severe pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 11, Italy.

Legionella pneumophila serogroups (SGs) 1–16 cause pneumonia in humans. Although SG 1 is the serogroup most commonly associated with disease, we report a case of community-acquired legionellosis caused by SG 11

Active surveillance in males with low- to intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer: A modern prospective cohort study.

To compare the clinical outcome of males with low-risk and favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer managed within a standardized modern protocol of active surveillance. This was a prospective cohort study with strict and expanded active surveillance criteria in males with prostate cancer. Baseline assessment included multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), extended systematic biopsy, and software-based MR-targeted biopsy. Follow-up included biannual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) check, mpMRI, and control biopsy once a year for the first 2 years, and afterward mpMRI every 2 years with additional tests as clinically indicated. The primary outcome was the transition rate to active treatment. A total of 51 patients were included: 17 (33%) and 34 (67%) followed protocols of strict (study arm 1) and expanded (study arm 2) active surveillance criteria, respectively. Median age and PSA were 65 years (IQR, 60-69 years) and 5.3 ng/mL (IQR, 4.5-7.7 ng/mL), respectively. At baseline, a median of 2 (IQR, 1-3) cores were positive out of 13 (IQR, 12-14) cores; 22 males (43%) had visible mpMRI lesions. Eight males (24%) in study arm 2 had Gleason score 3+4. After a median follow-up of 36 months (IQR, 24-48 mo), no patient in study arm 1 compared with 17 patients (33%) in arm 2 underwent active treatment (p&lt;0.0005). Although expanding eligibility criteria leads to a greater transition rate to active treatment, active surveillance should be contemplated in well-selected males with favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer as the curability window seems to be maintained

Active surveillance in males with low- to intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer: A modern prospective cohort study

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcome of males with low-risk and favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer managed within a standardized modern protocol of active surveillance. Materials and methods: This was a prospective cohort study with strict and expanded active surveillance criteria in males with prostate cancer. Baseline assessment included multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), extended systematic biopsy, and software-based MR-targeted biopsy. Follow-up included biannual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) check, mpMRI, and control biopsy once a year for the first 2 years, and afterward mpMRI every 2 years with additional tests as clinically indicated. The primary outcome was the transition rate to active treatment. Results: A total of 51 patients were included: 17 (33%) and 34 (67%) followed protocols of strict (study arm 1) and expanded (study arm 2) active surveillance criteria, respectively. Median age and PSA were 65 years (IQR, 60-69 years) and 5.3 ng/mL (IQR, 4.5-7.7 ng/mL), respectively. At baseline, a median of 2 (IQR, 1-3) cores were positive out of 13 (IQR, 12-14) cores; 22 males (43%) had visible mpMRI lesions. Eight males (24%) in study arm 2 had Gleason score 3+4. After a median follow-up of 36 months (IQR, 24-48 mo), no patient in study arm 1 compared with 17 patients (33%) in arm 2 underwent active treatment (p&lt;0.0005). Conclusions: Although expanding eligibility criteria leads to a greater transition rate to active treatment, active surveillance should be contemplated in well-selected males with favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer as the curability window seems to be maintained

City Avoidance in the Early Phase of Psychosis: A Neglected Domain of Assessment and a Potential Target for Recovery Strategies.

Background: A considerable amount of research has explored the link between living in an urban environment during childhood and the increased risk to develop psychosis. However, the urban milieu is more than a risk factor as it is also a place for socialization and enrichment. The aims of the current study were to explore, in a large sample of early psychosis (EP) patients, their pattern of use of the city, their perception when exposed to various critical stressors, and their sensitivity to diverse forms of stimuli. Methods: We sent a questionnaire (based on previous work conducted in a group of patients, including video-recorded walk-along in the city and a literature review) to 305 EP patients and to 220 medical students. Results: Response rate in patients was low (38%). City avoidance and negative perceptions towards the urban environment increased in patients after onset of psychosis. Patients' tendency to avoid city center correlates with both problematic social interactions and stimuli perceived as unpleasant. Patients seemed less likely to enjoy urban spaces considered as relaxing, suggesting a lower capacity to benefit from positive aspects of this environment. Conclusions: The development of psychosis influences the way EP patients perceive the city and their capacity to feel at ease in the urban environment, leading to a high rate of city avoidance. Considering the possible influence of city avoidance on social relations and the recovery process, the development of strategies to help patients in this regard may have a significant effect on their recovery process

Randomised controlled trial comparing efficacy and safety of high versus low Low-Molecular Weight Heparin dosages in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and coagulopathy not requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (COVID-19 HD): a structured summary of a study protocol.

To assess whether high doses of Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) (i.e. Enoxaparin 70 IU/kg twice daily) compared to standard prophylactic dose (i.e., Enoxaparin 4000 IU once day), in hospitalized patients with COVID19 not requiring Invasive Mechanical Ventilation [IMV], are: a)more effective in preventing clinical worsening, defined as the occurrence of at least one of the following events, whichever comes first: 1.Death2.Acute Myocardial Infarction [AMI]3.Objectively confirmed, symptomatic arterial or venous thromboembolism [TE]4.Need of either: a.Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (Cpap) or Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) orb.IMV in patients who at randomisation were receiving standard oxygen therapy5.IMV in patients who at randomisation were receiving non-invasive mechanical ventilationb)Similar in terms of major bleeding risk TRIAL DESIGN: Multicentre, randomised controlled, superiority, open label, parallel group, two arms (1:1 ratio), in-hospital study

Cybertools improve reaction time in open heart surgery

OBJECTIVE: Head-up displays allow the surgeons to simultaneously view the patient and the patient's vital parameters (ECG, blood pressure, etc.) using vision-through over a wireless net, potentially enhancing the speed, accuracy and safety of surgical decisions. The aim was to assess surgical reaction time to AFIB, bigeminy, trigeminy, VTACH, and VFIB and concentration during a surgical intervention comparing standard and cyber tools monitoring. METHODS: Using a patient simulator for beating heart surgery able to emulate heart signals and motion (arrhythmias) a group of surgeons performed coronary bypass procedures. Measurements of reaction time, efficiency of the surgeon, time elapsed to display a coronary angiography in a realistic surgical environment were taken. RESULTS: The duration to accomplish the experiment is not different between groups (cyber vs. standard) reaction times, however, are significantly decreased for cyber by a mean of 33%. There is also a measured time difference for displaying a coronary angiography within the head-up display as compared to a remote console. CONCLUSIONS: During surgery, modern cyber tools allow for significant improvements of reaction time and concentration due to real time access to vital information