Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus electrical stimulation with pelvic floor muscle training for overactive bladder syndrome in women: results of a randomized controlled study

ABSTRACT Introduction This study compared percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) versus electrical stimulation with pelvic floor muscle training (ES + PFMT) in women with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). Materials and Methods 60 women with OAB were enrolled. Patients were randomized into two groups. In group A, women underwent ES with PFMT, in group B women underwent PTNS. Results A statistically significant reduction in the number of daily micturitions, episodes of nocturia and urge incontinence was found in the two groups but the difference was more substantial in women treated with PTNS; voided volume increased in both groups. Quality of life improved in both groups, whereas patient perception of urgency improved only in women treated with PTNS. Global impression of improvement revealed a greater satisfaction in patients treated with PTNS. Conclusion This study demonstrates the effectiveness of PTNS and ES with PFMT in women with OAB, but greater improvements were found with PTNS

Chapter 8. Italy : A highly regulated system in search of equality

Developed by researchers from the Euromedia Research Group in partnership with colleagues from other institutions around the world, the Media for Democracy Monitor provides a monitoring instrument to empirically assess and compare the performance of leading news media in contemporary, stable democracies by surveying their structures of production and distribution, and ownership and governance. By connecting the journalistic roles and the democratic dimensions, the MDM finds a full-fledged theoretical framework that allows the assessment of the contribution of news media to democracy. Focusing on the state of health of the media in Italy, the chapter "Italy. A highly regulated system in search of equality" is part of this project. Research and most of the field work for the 2021 edition of the MDM has been conducted shortly before the outbreak of the global Covid-19 pandemic. The findings reflect, therefore, flaws and achievements of leading news media during the recovery years after the 2008 financial market crash and before the Covid-19 crash hit them

Machine perfusions in liver transplantation: The evidence-based position paper of the italian society of organ and tissue transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The use of machine perfusion in liver transplantation is spreading worldwide but its efficacy has not been demonstrated and its proper clinical use far to be implemented. The Italian Society of Organ and Tissue Transplantation (SITO) promoted the development of an evidence-based position paper. METHODS A three-step approach has been adopted to develop this position paper. Firstly, the Society appointed a Chair and a co-Chair who then assembled a Working Group with specific experience of machine perfusion in liver transplantation. The Guideline Development Group framed the clinical questions into a Patient/Intervention/Control/Outcome (PICO) format, extracted and analyzed available literature, ranked the quality of evidence, prepared and graded the recommendations. Recommendations were then discussed by all the members of the SITO and voted by Delphi round by an Internal Review Board and finally evaluated and scored by a panel of external reviewers. RESULTS All available literature was analyzed, and its quality ranked. Eighteen recommendations regarding the use and the efficacy of ex-situ hypothermic and normothermic machine perfusion and sequential normothermic regional perfusion and ex-situ machine perfusion were prepared and graded according to the GRADE method. CONCLUSION A critical and scientific approach is required for the safe implementation of this new technology