Effect of genotype on individual response to the pharmacological treatment of glaucoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The social impact of glaucoma is worth of note: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting some 68.56 million people with overall prevalence of 2.4%. Since one of the main risk factors for the development of POAG is the increase of intraocular pressure (IOP) causing retinal ganglion cells death, the medical treatment of POAG consists in the use of drugs endowed with neuroprotective effect and able to reduce IOP. these drugs include beta-blockers, prostaglandin analogues, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, alpha or cholinergic agonists and rho kinase inhibitors. however, not all the patients respond to the same extent to the therapy in terms of efficacy and safety. genetics and genome wide association studies have highlighted the occurrence of mutations and polymorphisms influencing the predisposition to develop POAG and its phenotype, as well as affecting the response to pharmacological treatment. the present systematic review and meta-analysis aims at identifying genetic variants and at verifying whether these can influence the responsiveness of patients to therapy for efficacy and safety. It follows the most updated preferred reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses 2020 recommendations. the literature search was conducted consulting the most relevant scientific databases, i.e. pubmed/MEDLINE, scopus, web of science and public health genomics and precision health Knowledge base up to June 14th, 2023. the search retrieved 1026 total records, among which eight met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the analysis. the results demonstrated that the most investigated pharmacogenetic associations concern latanoprost and timolol, and that efficacy was studied more in depth than safety. moreover, the heterogeneity of design and paucity of studies prompt further investigation in randomized clinical trials. In fact, adequately powered and designed pharmacogenetic association studies are needed to provide body of evidence with good certainty for a more appropriate use of medical therapy in POAG. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023434867

Adherence issues related to sublingual immunotherapy as perceived by allergists

Objectives: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a viable alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma, and is widely used in clinical practice in many European countries. The clinical efficacy of SLIT has been established in a number of clinical trials and meta-analyses. However, because SLIT is self-administered by patients without medical supervision, the degree of patient adherence with treatment is still a concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception by allergists of issues related to SLIT adherence. Methods: We performed a questionnaire-based survey of 296 Italian allergists, based on the adherence issues known from previous studies. The perception of importance of each item was assessed by a VAS scale ranging from 0 to 10. Results: Patient perception of clinical efficacy was considered the most important factor (ranked 1 by 54% of allergists), followed by the possibility of reimbursement (ranked 1 by 34%), and by the absence of side effects (ranked 1 by 21%). Patient education, regular follow-up, and ease of use of SLIT were ranked first by less than 20% of allergists. Conclusion: These findings indicate that clinical efficacy, cost, and side effects are perceived as the major issues influencing patient adherence to SLIT, and that further improvement of adherence is likely to be achieved by improving the patient information provided by prescribers. © 2010 Scurati et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

A systematic review of the role of vitamin insufficiencies and supplementation in COPD

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pulmonary inflammation, oxidants-antioxidants imbalance, as well as innate and adaptive immunity have been proposed as playing a key role in the development of COPD. The role of vitamins, as assessed either by food frequency questionnaires or measured in serum levels, have been reported to improve pulmonary function, reduce exacerbations and improve symptoms. Vitamin supplements have therefore been proposed to be a potentially useful additive to COPD therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic literature review was performed on the association of vitamins and COPD. The role of vitamin supplements in COPD was then evaluated.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results of this review showed that various vitamins (vitamin C, D, E, A, beta and alpha carotene) are associated with improvement in features of COPD such as symptoms, exacerbations and pulmonary function. High vitamin intake would probably reduce the annual decline of FEV1. There were no studies that showed benefit from vitamin supplementation in improved symptoms, decreased hospitalization or pulmonary function.</p

BUILDING INFORMATION MODELS FOR MONITORING AND SIMULATION DATA IN HERITAGE BUILDINGS

This paper analyses the use of BIM in heritage buildings, assessing the state-of-the-art and finding paths for further development. Specifically, this work is part of a broader project, which final aim is to support stakeholders through BIM. Given that humidity is one of the major causes of weathering, being able to detect, depict and forecast it, is a key task. A BIM model of a heritage building &ndash; enhanced with the integration of a weathering forecasting model &ndash; will be able to give detailed information on possible degradation patterns, and when they will happen. This information can be effectively used to plan both ordinary and extraordinary maintenance. The Jewel Tower in London, our case study, is digitised using combined laser scanning and photogrammetry, and a virtual model is produced. The point cloud derived from combined laser scanning &amp; photogrammetry is traced out in with Autodesk Revit, where the main volumetry (gross walls and floors) is created with parametric objects. Surface characterisation of the façade is given through renderings. Specifically, new rendering materials have been created for this purpose, based on rectified photos of the Tower. The model is then integrated with moisture data, organised in spreadsheets and linked to it via parametric objects representing the points where measurements had been previously taken. The spatial distribution of moisture is then depicted using Dynamo. This simple exercise demonstrates the potential Dynamo has for condition reporting, and future work will concentrate on the creation of a complex forecasting model to be linked through it

Autoantibodies in myotonic dystrophy

[No abstract available

Corneal transplant during COVID-19 pandemic: the Italian Eye Bank national report

To investigate the impact of Coronavirus Disease-2019 lockdown on the Italian Eye Bank organization. In this national retrospective, multicentric, cohort study, data from the Italian Eye Bank during both the lockdown and the first month after the lockdown period were retrieved. We compared the Italian Eye Bank metrics with the same timeframe of 2019 and 2018. Data from 13 out of 13 (100%) Italian Eye Banks were included in the analysis. A statistically significant reduction in the number of donor corneas retrieved in 2020 was found as compared to the same period in 2019 and in 2018, respectively (2020 = 1284; 2019 = 3088; 2018 = 3221; ANOVA: p &lt; 0.0001). Only 534 corneas have been distributed by Eye Banks during the COVID-19-lockdown period (2020 = 534; 2019 = 1220; 2018 = 1237. ANOVA: p &lt; 0.0001). Similarly, the number of wasted corneas due to postponed or cancelled surgeries was 421, resulting in a considerable increase as compared to the previous 2 years (2020 = 421; 2019 = 67; 2018 = 84; ANOVA: p = 0.0035). Overall, 45 donor corneas were rejected in accordance with the guidance of the Italian National Health Institute Italian National Transplant Centre (CNT). SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has profoundly affected every social and medical field, including the Eye Bank procurement and distribution programs. The current data collected from all the Italian Eye Banks highlights the present and the forthcoming difficulties that the Eye Bank community is going to experience, as for the ongoing pandemic