Oil Price Shocks, Monetary Policy Rules and Welfare.

Sudden and protracted oil-price increases are generally accompanied by economic contractions and high inflation. How should monetary policy react to oil-price shocks in order to minimize such adverse macroeconomic effects? We build a DSGE model characterized by two oil-importing countries and one oil-exporting country. Oil-importing countries use oil for consumption and as input in production. The oil-exporting country consumes imported goods and produces oil. We calibrate the model and evaluate the performance of simple Taylor-type interest rate rules, on the basis of a micro-founded welfare metric. We search for rules that i) maximize welfare to a second order of approximation, ii) satisfy the zero-lower-bound for the nominal interest rate and iii) produce either a Nash or a cooperative equilibrium. We show that the optimal reaction of monetary policy is strongly influenced by the presence of energy taxes. For calibrated values of energy taxes, we find that monetary policy should partially accommodate oil-price increases. The optimal interest rate rule is inertial, it reacts strongly and positively to inflation and output deviations from the steady state, while it reacts negatively to deviations of the real price of oil from its steady-state valueoil price shocks, montary policy, fiscal policy, DSGE

Clinical, Pathological and Prognostic Features of Rare BRAF Mutations in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC): A Bi-Institutional Retrospective Analysis (REBUS Study)

Simple SummarySomatic BRAF mutations occur in approximately 10% of metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRCs) and, according to the involved codon, are classified as V600E and in non-V600, accounting for 80% and 20%, respectively. Being the most frequent mutation, the BRAF V600E mutation has been extensively investigated and up to now its clinical, pathological and molecular phenotype and its prognostic impact have been clearly described. On the contrary, evidence concerning BRAF non-V600 is weaker. We retrospectively evaluated 537 mCRC patients treated at two Italian Institutions. This study corroborates and strengthens available evidence concerning phenotype and prognostic performance of BRAF non-V600 compared to BRAF V600E and BRAF wild-type mCRCs. This deeper insight on rare BRAF non-V600 mutated mCRC is a primary issue in the precision oncology era, since the wider application of NGS is expected to increase the identification of those aberrations.Recently, retrospective analysis began to shed light on metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRCs) harboring rare BRAF non-V600 mutations, documenting a distinct phenotype and a favorable prognosis. This study aimed to confirm features and prognosis of rare BRAF non-V600 mCRCs compared to BRAF V600E and BRAF wild-type mCRCs treated at two Italian Institutions. Overall, 537 cases were retrospectively evaluated: 221 RAS/BRAF wild-type, 261 RAS mutated, 46 BRAF V600E and 9 BRAF non-V600. Compared to BRAF V600E mCRC, BRAF non-V600 mCRC were more frequently left-sided, had a lower tumor burden and displayed a lower grade and an MMR proficient/MSS status. In addition, non-V600 mCRC patients underwent more frequently to resection of metastases with radical intent. Median overall survival (mOS) was significantly longer in the non-V600 compared to the V600E group. At multivariate analysis, only age < 65 years and ECOG PS 0 were identified as independent predictors of better OS. BRAF V600E mCRCs showed a statistically significant worse mOS when compared to BRAF wild-type mCRCs, whereas no significant difference was observed between BRAF non-V600 and BRAF wild-type mCRCs. Our study corroborates available evidence concerning incidence, clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of BRAF-mutated mCRCs

Diabetic ketoacidosis at the onset of disease during a national awareness campaign: a 2-year observational study in children aged 0-18 years

After a previous survey on the incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at onset of type 1 diabetes in children in 2013-2014 in Italy, we aimed to verify a possible decline in the incidence of DKA at onset during a national prevention campaign

The Silent Epidemic of Diabetic Ketoacidosis at Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in Italy During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020

To compare the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with the frequency of DKA during 2017-2019

[Current approaches to the first-line treatment of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma]

The medical treatment of renal cell carcinoma has been revolutionized in recent years, thanks to translation of our increasingly accurate knowledge on the molecular pathogenesis of this tumor, and of its clear cell histology in particular, into an accelerated drug development, and then into everyday's clinical practice. In this review, starting with the pathogenesis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, we shall address the results of the clinical trials that led to the registration of seven targeted agents for this disease once orphan of active treatments, taking into account the different prognostic groups in which the patients suffering from it can be divided. Finally, we shall discuss the complex and controversial issue of the ideal timing to start a systemic treatment, a critical and still highly debated topic. All major international guidelines agree on the standard first line therapeutic options, which are represented by sunitinib, bevacizumab (associated with interferon-α) and pazopanib for patients with good or intermediate risk features, and temsirolimus for poor-risk patients. All these agents proved able to prolong progression-free survival within randomized phase III trials. The use of an observation period, before starting a systemic treatment, seems also reasonable, at least in the more indolent tumors and in patients with a better prognosis, even if the topic is still controversial. Finally, the individualization of therapy and the proper conduct of the same is essential for a successful outcome of the treatment

Incidence of Adverse Cutaneous Reactions to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors in Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are routinely used in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR mutations. However, their use is associated with gastrointestinal and cutaneous toxicities, including acneiform eruptions, pruritus, xerosis, nail and hair changes. Aside from reducing patients' quality of life, such cutaneous reactions have a considerable impact on the oncologic treatment given that dose reduction or even drug discontinuation may be necessary, especially for the severe forms. Objectives: To assess the incidence, impact on treatment and management of EGFR inhibitor-related cutaneous reactions in patients with NSCLC. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study on 87 consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC treated with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors from January to December 2019. Patients who developed mucocutaneous reactions were evaluated and treated by both oncologists and dermatologists, and underwent dermatologic follow-up until resolution of the cutaneous reaction. Demographic and clinical data were collected for each patient, and the severity of the cutaneous reaction was graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Results: Seventy-one patients (81.6%) developed cutaneous reactions. The number of cutaneous reactions per patient was 1 in 37%, 2 in 41% and 3 or more in 22%. The most common cutaneous reactions included acneiform eruptions (56.3%), xerosis +/- asteatotic eczema (48.3%), nail changes (39.1%), mucositis (29.9%), pruritus (24.1%) and hair changes (12.6%). Afatinib was associated with a higher rate of nail changes and mucositis (p < 0.01 and p < 0.005, respectively) compared to other agents, while no patient-related predictive factors were identified. Dose reduction was performed in 18% of patients. Multidisciplinary management involving dermatologists allowed to resume the drug in all patients who had discontinued it due to the cutaneous reactions. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach to EGFR inhibitor-related cutaneous reactions is advantageous and can reduce the need to discontinue oncologic treatment

Molecular study of different types of azoospermia

Azoospermia, defined as the absence of spermatozoa in ejaculate after centrifugation, results from testicular dysfunction (non-obstructive) or obstruction of extratesticular ducts (obstructive). Different conditions, both congenital and acquired, can cause testicular failure. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) recently emerged as a different class of short endogenous single-stranded RNAs. Since the discovery of free miRNAs in different human body fluids, much interest has been focused on developing them as biomarkers in various conditions. Although miRNAs play an essential role in spermatogenesis, little is known about seminal plasma miRNAs in azoospermic men. The aim of this work is to analyze the expression of microRNA in normozoospermic and azoospermic men and to evaluate the differences between various condition of azoospermi