Increase in 20–50 Hz (gamma frequencies) power spectrum and synchronization after chronic vagal nerve stimulation

Objective: Though vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an important option in pharmacoresistant epilepsy, its mechanism of action remains unclear. The observation that VNS desynchronised the EEG activity in animals suggested that this mechanism could be involved in VNS antiepileptic effects in humans. Indeed VNS decreases spiking bursts, whereas its effects on the EEG background remain uncertain. The objective of the present study is to investigate how VNS affects local and inter regional syncronization in different frequencies in pharmacoresistent partial epilepsy. Methods: Digital recordings acquired in 11 epileptic subjects 1 year and 1 week before VNS surgery were compared with that obtained 1 month and 1 year after VNS activation. Power spectrum and synchronization were then analyzed and compared with an epileptic group of 10 patients treated with AEDs only and with 9 non-epileptic patients. Results: VNS decreases the synchronization of theta frequencies (P!0.01), whereas it increases gamma power spectrum and synchronization (!0.001 and 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: The reduction of theta frequencies and the increase in power spectrum and synchronization of gamma bands can be related to VNS anticonvulsant mechanism. In addition, gamma modulation could also play a seizure-independent role in improving attentional performances. Significance: These results suggest that some antiepileptic mechanisms affected by VNS can be modulated by or be the reflection of EEG changes.2026-2036Pubblicat

Principal component analysis of the well-being at work and respect for human rights questionnaire (WWRRR) in the mediterranean region

Background: The Well-Being at Work and Respect for human Rights Questionnaire (WWRR) was conceived based on the hypothesis that the perception of respect for users' rights is an essential element of well-being in the workplace in healthcare. The objective of the study is to examine the principal components of the WWRR. Methods: A random sample representative of a set of professionals working in three different healthcare networks in Tunisia, North-Macedonia, and Italy was enrolled (n=426). Each professional completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic data and the WWRR. The WWRR consists of six items on beliefs about: satisfaction at work, users’ satisfaction, organization at work, respect of users’ and staff human rights, adequacy of resources. A seventh item assesses the perceived needs of personnel. Correlation between the items was evaluated by analysing the principal components with Varimax rotation and Kaiser normalization (which included all components with an Eigen value> 1). Results: A single factor covered over 50% of the variance, all the items of the questionnaire were closely related and compose a single factor. Tunisia presented some differences regarding the item about the human rights of staff. Conclusion: Satisfaction with the respect for the rights of users is strongly correlated with the other factors that are part of the concept of the organizational well-being of health care providers. The WWRR provides a means of measuring this important and often neglected dimension

The Effects of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) in Monotherapy and with Add-on Treatments on Health-related Quality of Life of People with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Systematic Review of Randomized-Controlled Trials

Background: The era of establishing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) changed the outcome and the course of this life threatening malignancy. People suffering from CML have now a better prognosis and a longer life expectancy due to the development of TKIs, even if it requires long-term, often lifelong, treatments that are nonetheless associated with improved Health-related Quality of life (HRQoL). However, data on the effects of TKIs on HRQoL are not always systematic; sometimes the data have been obtained by studies different from RCTs, or without a clear definition of what HRQoL is. The main purpose of this systematic review is to summarize all randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) including HRQoL as main or secondary outcome in patients with CML treated with TKIs or with TKIs plus an add-on treatment. Methods: A systematic review has been conducted by searching the relevant papers in PubMed/Medline and Web of Science with the following keywords: “quality of life” OR “health-related quality of life” OR “QoL” OR “HRQoL” OR “H-QoL” AND “chronic myeloid leukemia”. Interval was set from January 2000 to December 2020. Results: 40 papers were identified through the search. Out of them, 7 RCTs were included. All the studies used standardized measures to assess HRQoL, even not always specific for CML. 5 RCTs randomized subjects to 2 or 3 arms to evaluate the effects of TKIs of the first, second and third generation in monotherapy. 2 RCTs randomized subjects to TKI therapy plus an add-on treatment versus TKI therapy as usual. The results of all these trials were examined and discussed. Conclusion: All the included RCTs pointed out significant findings regarding the positive effects of TKIs on HRQoL of people with CML, both when they were used in monotherapy or, notably, with an add-on treatment to enhance TKIs effects

The Chromium issue in soils of the leather tannery district in Italy.

pubblicato su CD-Rom (EGU06-A-02354

The chromium issue in soils of the leather tannery district in Italy

Among heavy metals, up to now chromium has received little attention. The reasons for this lack of interest are diverse. One is that Cr was considered a “ local source ” contaminant, thus constituting a non-widespread environmental problem. A second reason is that the dominant naturally occurring form of chromium, Cr2 O3, is considered essentially immobile in the environment, in contrast with the highly mobile and toxic Cr(VI). Based on these assumptions, we have started a research program aimed at assessing the actual chromium accumulation in soils and plants of a tannery industrial district in NE Italy. Further objectives of our study were: - to highlight possible contamination of soils, plants and waters; - to ascertain the potential risk to human health. Large differences in Cr concentration were observed in the area investigated, with a very scattered distribution. Mean Cr concentration in soils is 210 mg/kg (range 50 – 10,000). Most of the investigated sites present surface Cr concentrations higher than subsurface, suggesting local sources of Cr to be responsible for soil contamination. Chromium concentrations in selected plants ( Taraxacum officinale , Plantago lanceolata) present wide ranges in both the species examined, with little translocation from roots to leaves (barrier effect). To determine the groundwater pollution hazard in the surveyed district, we have compared the soil Cr concentration with the soil vulnerability map. Surface soils having the highest Cr concentration correspond to sites with very high to high vulnerability. Therefore, considering the present soil Cr concentrations and the pollution hazard, precaution and control acts are needed, in order to avoid more damage to land and waters. Moreover, considering all the above items, hazard for human health by direct contact with soil, ingestion, and inhalation should be taken in consideration by decision makers

The Chromium issue in soils of the leather tannery district in Italy.

pubblicato su CD-Rom (EGU06-A-02354