NETWORKED AND INTEGRATED DIGITAL PLATFORMS FOR THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

The paper aims to stimulate and share new opinions on the opportunity to reorganise and enhance the wide universe of digital applications to handle the Italian university system, trying to outline a forward-looking scenario considered in its structural components (teaching, research and third mission) placing people at its core. The final aim is to design networked and integrated digital platforms in collaboration with CINECA Inter-University Consortium, with the aim to submit to it the areas of intervention where it is possible and desirable to think about the development and subsequent implementation of innovative and original products, making Italian universities catch up on the most qualified international situations by fostering the transition to an open, transparent, inclusive and sustainable system

Human Colon Fibroblasts Induce Differentiation and Proliferation of Intestinal Epithelial Cells Through the Direct Paracrine Action of Keratinocyte Growth Factor

The effects exerted by the keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) on intestinal epithelial cells cultured in vitro are influenced by cell confluence and differentiation through the modulation of keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR) expression. In order to better define the contribution of KGF on the intestinal epithelial cell differentiation and proliferation, here we developed a coculture model, able to mimick in vitro the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions of the bowel. In consequence of its ability to produce KGF, demonstrated by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, the human colon fibroblast cell line CCD-18 has been selected as coculture partner for the intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell line. Analysis of the expression of the differentiation and proliferation markers CEA and Ki67, through double immunofluorescence assays, showed that either the coculture with CCD-18 cells or the incubation with primary colon fibroblast-derived conditioned media (CM-F and CM-F2) induced an increase in differentiation and proliferation of confluent intestinal epithelial Caco-2 or HT29 cells, parallel to that obtained by KGF treatment. Use of anti-KGF blocking antibodies and of a tyrosine kinase KGFR inhibitor demonstrated the contribution of KGF and the direct role of its receptor in the regulation of epithelial growth and differentiation, indicating that KGF is a crucial paracrine factor involved in promoting these effects. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 204-2 13, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care