Asymmetries in extraction from nominal copular sentences: A challenging case study for NLP tools

In this paper we discuss two types of nominal copular sentences (Canonical and Inverse, Moro 1997) and we demonstrate how the peculiarities of these two configurations are hardly considered by standard NLP tools that are currently publicly available. Here we show that example-based MT tools (e.g. Google Translate) as well as other NLP tools (UDpipe, LinguA, Stanford Parser, and Google Cloud AI API) fail in capturing the critical distinctions between the two structures in the end producing both wrong analyses and, possibly as a consequence of a non-coherent (or missing) structural analysis, incorrect translations in the case of MT tools. To support the proposed analysis, we present also an empirical study showing that native speakers are indeed sensitive to the critical distinctions. This poses a sharp challenge for NLP tools that aim at being cognitively plausible or at least descriptively adequate (Chowdhury & Zamparelli 2018)

Development and Characterisation of Aluminium Matrix Nanocomposites AlSi10Mg/MgAl2O4 by Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Recently, additive manufacturing techniques have been gaining attention for the fabrication of parts from aluminium alloys to composites. In this work, the processing of an AlSi10Mg based composite reinforced with 0.5% in weight of MgAl2O4 nanoparticles through laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process is presented. After an initial investigation about the effect of process parameters on the densification levels, the LPBF materials were analysed in terms of microstructure, thermo-mechanical and mechanical properties. The presence of MgAl2O4 nanoparticles involves an increment of the volumetric energy density delivered to the materials, in order to fabricate samples with high densification levels similar to the AlSi10Mg samples. However, the application of different building parameters results in modifying the size of the cellular structures influencing the mechanical properties and therefore, limiting the strengthening effect of the reinforcement

Platelets and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation in adult patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Efficacy of overground robotic gait training on balance in stroke survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Strokes often lead to a deficit in motor control that contributes to a reduced balance function. Impairments in the balance function severely limit the activities of daily living (ADL) in stroke survivors. The present systematic review and meta-analysis primarily aims to explore the efficacy of overground robot-assisted gait training (o-RAGT) on balance recovery in individuals with stroke. In addition, the efficacy on ADL is also investigated. This systematic review identified nine articles investigating the effects of o-RAGT on balance, four of which also assessed ADL. The results of the meta-analysis suggest that o-RAGT does not increase balance and ADL outcomes more than conventional therapy in individuals after stroke. The data should not be overestimated due to the low number of studies included in the meta-analysis and the wide confidence intervals. Subgroup analyses to investigate the influence of participant's characteristics and training dosage were not performed due to lack of data availability. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the efficacy of o-RAGT on balance in individuals with stroke

sutured and sutureless repair of postinfarction left ventricular free wall rupture a systematic review

Summary Postinfarction left ventricular free-wall rupture is a potentially catastrophic event. Emergency surgical intervention is almost invariably required, but the most appropriate surgical procedure remains controversial. A systematic review, from 1993 onwards, of all available reports in the literature about patients undergoing sutured or sutureless repair of postinfarction left ventricular free-wall rupture was performed. Twenty-five studies were selected, with a total of 209 patients analysed. Sutured repair was used in 55.5% of cases, and sutureless repair in the remaining cases. Postoperative in-hospital mortality was 13.8% in the sutured group, while it was 14% in the sutureless group. A trend towards a higher rate of in-hospital rerupture was observed in the sutureless technique. The most common cause of in-hospital mortality (44%) was low cardiac output syndrome. In conclusion, sutured and sutureless repair for postinfarction left ventricular free-wall rupture showed comparable in-hospital mortality. However, because of the limited number of patients and the variability of surgical strategies in each reported series, further studies are required to provide more consistent data and lines of evidence

peri procedural thrombocytopenia after aortic bioprosthesis implant a systematic review and meta analysis comparison among conventional stentless rapid deployment and transcatheter valves

Abstract Background Thrombocytopenia has been shown to occur soon after surgical biological aortic valve replacement (AVR), and recently reported also after transcatheter valve implantation (TAVI). The mechanism underlying this phenomenon is still unknown, and its clinical impact on the peri-operative outcome has been poorly investigated. Methods A systematic review and a meta-analysis of all available studies reporting data about peri-procedural thrombocytopenia on isolated bio-AVR, comparing rapid-deployment (RDV), stentless (stentless-AVR), and TAVI vs. stented (stented-AVR) valves, have been performed. Results Fifteen trials (2.163 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. Perioperative platelet reduction ranged from 35% to 55% in stented-AVR, from 60% to 77% in stentless-AVR, from 53% to 60% in RDV, and from to 21% to 72% in TAVI (apparently, balloon-expandable valves more frequently associated to thrombocytopenia). Stented-AVR required more red blood cells transfusion than stentless-AVR (P  Conclusions Thrombocytopenia-related major adverse events were mainly reported in TAVI patients, whereas clinically meaningless in surgical patients. Transient peri-procedural thrombocytopenia is common after bio-AVR, regardless of prosthesis's type or implant modality. It should receive appropriate monitoring and focused investigations

Surgical Repair of Postinfarction Ventricular Septal Rupture: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background. Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but life-threatening complication after acute myocardial infarction. Although surgical correction is challenging and associated with high mortality, it remains the treatment of choice. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the early outcome of surgical VSR repair.Methods. We searched electronic databases from January 1998 to February 2020. Studies reporting patients undergoing surgical treatment for VSR were analyzed. The primary outcome assessed was operative mortality. Differences were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the relationships of predefined surgical variables and clinical prognosis.Results. A total of 6361 adult patients from 41 studies were identified. Operative mortality was 38.2%. Pooled ORs showed increased odds of operative mortality in patients with preoperative or perioperative intraaortic balloon pump insertion (OR = 3.48; 95% CI, 3.01-4.02; P >= .001), right ventricular dysfunction (OR = 2.85; 95% CI, 1.47-5.52; P = .002), posterior VSR (OR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.30-2.31; P >= .001), and emergency surgery (OR = 3.79; 95% CI, 2.52-5.72; P >= .001). Temporal trend evaluation revealed no difference over time in the operative mortality rate; it was 34% in both time-related groups (1971-2000 versus 2001-2018).Conclusions. Ventricular septal rupture repair has a high operative mortality. Patients with preoperative or perioperative intraaortic balloon pump support, right ventricular dysfunction at presentation, or posterior defects, and those undergoing emergent VSR correction have increased odds of operative mortality. (C) 2021 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc

A cost-minimization analysis of a preventive testing strategy for relatives of patients with BRCA mutated ovarian cancer

Purpose: This study aims to estimate the cost-minimization strategy of a preventive testing strategy destined to relatives of patients with BRCA mutated cancer versus a no test strategy in Italia. Methods: A BRCA testing pathway was designed by a panel of experts based on the MSTM Excel (2010) tool; the analysis was carried out considering the perspective of the Italian National Health Service. Two alternatives were considered: 1) preventive BRCA testing for relatives of patients affected by ovarian cancer carrying a BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation; 2) no test. Cost and effectiveness data, derived from literature and published sources validated by a Board of experts, were discounted using a discount factor equal to 3%. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed. Results: Considering an average cost of therapy for breast and ovarian cancer major of €90,000.00 per case, the economic impact related to the preventive testing strategy are equal to –€17,814,767.25. The sensitivity analysis confirms these results in the totality of the simulations performed. Conclusions: Preventive genetic testing in relatives of patients affected by ovarian cancer is cost-effective and represents a sustainable cost for the National Healthcare System in Italia, also in the light of its reference values

Surgical repair of left ventricular free-wall rupture complicating acute myocardial infarction: a single-center 30 years of experience

Background: Left ventricular free-wall rupture (LVFWR) is a catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Historically, cardiac surgery is considered the treatment of choice. However, because of the rarity of this entity, little is known regarding the efficacy and safety of surgical treatment for post-infarction LVFWR. The aim of this study was to report a single-center experience in this field over a period of 30 years. Methods: Patients who developed LVFWR following AMI and underwent surgical repair at our Institution from January 1990 to December 2019 were considered. The primary end-point was in-hospital morality rate; secondary outcomes were long-term survival and postoperative complications. Multivariate analysis was carried out by constructing a logistic regression model to identify risk factors for early mortality. Results: A total of 35 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 68.9 years; 65.7% were male. The oozing type of LVFWR was encountered in 29 individuals, and the blowout type in 6 subjects. Sutured repair was used in 77.1% of patients, and sutureless repair in the remaining cases. The in-hospital mortality rate was 28.6%. Low cardiac output syndrome was the main cause of postoperative death. Multivariable analysis identified age >75 years at operation, preoperative cardiac arrest, concurrent ventricular septal rupture (VSR) as independent predictors of in-hospital death. Follow-up was complete in 100% of patients who survived surgery (mean follow-up: 9.3 ± 7.8 years); among the survivors, 16 patients died during the follow-up with a 3-year and 12-year overall survival rate of 82.5% and 55.2%, respectively. Conclusions: Surgical treatment of LVFWR following AMI is possible with acceptable in-hospital mortality and excellent long-term results. Advanced age, concurrent VSR and cardiac arrest at presentation are independent risk factors of poor early outcome

Dietary supplements for the management of COVID-19 symptoms

SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of COVID-19, caused a pandemic in 2020, which is only recently slowing down. The symptoms of COVID-19 range from cough to fever and pneumonia and may persist beyond the active state of the infection, in a condition called post-COVID syndrome. The aim of this paper is to review the relationship between COVID-19 and nutrition and to discuss to most up-to-date dietary supplements proposed for COVID-19 treatment and prevention. Nutrition and nutritional dysregulations, such as obesity and malnutrition, are prominent risk factors for severe COVID-19. These factors exert anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory effects on the immune system, thus exacerbating or reducing the immunological response against the virus. As for the nutritional habits, the Western diet induces a chronic inflammatory state, whereas the Mediterranean diet exerts anti-inflammatory effects and has been proposed for ameliorating COVID-19 evolution and symptoms. Several vaccines have been researched and commercialized for COVID-19 prevention, whereas several drugs, although clinically tested, have not shown promising effects. To compensate for the lack of treatment, several supplements have been recommended for preventing or ameliorating COVID-19 symptoms. Thus, it is critical to review the dietary supplements proposed for COVID-19 treatment. Supplements containing α-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol exhibited promising effects in several clinical trials and reduced the severity of the outcomes and the duration of the infection. Moreover, a supplement containing hydroxytyrosol, acetyl L-carnitine, and vitamins B, C, and D improved the symptoms of patients with post-COVID syndrome