Organizational technology acceptance and use: a relational perspective

Theoretical background. Hypotesis. Research design. Results. Discussion and conclusions. Appendix 1: Descriptive network statistics. Appendix 2: Questionnaire. Appendix 3: Graphical representation of the networks

Organizational technology acceptance and use: a relational perspective

Theoretical background. Hypotesis. Research design. Results. Discussion and conclusions. Appendix 1: Descriptive network statistics. Appendix 2: Questionnaire. Appendix 3: Graphical representation of the networks.Theoretical background. Hypotesis. Research design. Results. Discussion and conclusions. Appendix 1: Descriptive network statistics. Appendix 2: Questionnaire. Appendix 3: Graphical representation of the networks.LUISS PhD Thesi

RETRACTED: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome caused by the c.934C>T, p. Arg312Cys mutation in COL1A1 gene: an Italian family without cardiovascular events

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The value of EEG attenuation in the prediction of outcome in COVID-19 patients

During the COVID-19 pandemic, electroencephalography (EEG) proved to be a useful tool to demonstrate brain involvement. Many studies reported non-reactive generalized slowing as the most frequent pattern and epileptiform activity in a minority of patients

Osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases’ cosegregation: epidemiological features

Life expectancy in Italy is estimated to rise to 77.9 and 84.4 years in next years. Increased life expectancy is associated with a greater frailty of elderly people and an increased prevalence of chronic and degenerative illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. The impact of osteoporotic hip fractures in Italy is very similar to that of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and there is a need for further epidemiological investigations concerning both the pathologies, as well as for a better understanding of possible mechanisms of their cosegregation. Actually, calcium metabolism is involved both in the development of osteoporosis and in the raise of cardiovascular risk. We have reviewed the most recent publications concerning epidemiological trends of both osteoporosis and acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and also the trials addressing cosegregation of these pathologies. According to the publications examined, in the Italian population (both ³ 45 and > 65 years old), the number of hospitalizations following hip fracture and AMI are comparable. Both hip fractures and cardiovascular diseases represent in Italy a serious medical problem and a leading health cost driver, according to what has already been reported for many other Countries in the industrialized world, thus requiring a global clinical approach. Low calcium intake could represent one of the possible pathogenic paths underlining the association between hypertension and osteoporosis. Low calcium serum levels has been proved to enhance PTH and vitamin D3 production, which result in a remarkable lypogenesis performed by adypocites and switch on mechanisms leading to the raise of blood systolic pressure, the development of atherosclerotic plaques and cardiovascular events. Although many trials have suggested that bone mineral density may be included in the list of cardiovascular risk factors, more studies are needed in order to deeply investigate the causal relationships between calcium metabolism and cardiovascular diseases

Targeting CXCR4 reverts the suppressive activity of T-regulatory cells in renal cancer

With the intent to identify biomarkers in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) the functional status of T-regulatory cells (Tregs) was investigated in primary RCC. Tregs were isolated from tumoral-(TT), peritumoral tissue-(PT) and peripheral blood-(PB) of 42 primary RCC patients and function evaluated through effector T cells (Teff) proliferation, cytokines release and demethylation of Treg Specific Region (TSDR). The highest value of Tregs was detected in TT with the uppermost amount of effector-Tregs-(CD4+CD25hiFOXP3hiCD45RA-). PB-RCC Tregs efficiently suppress Teff proliferation compared to healthy donor (HD)-Tregs and, at the intrapatient evaluation, TT-derived Tregs were the most suppressive. Higher demethylation TSDR was detected in TT- and PB-RCC Tregs vs HD-Tregs (P <0,001). CXCR4 is highly expressed on Tregs, thus we wished to modulate Tregs function through CXCR4 inhibition. CXCR4 antagonism, elicited by a new peptidic antagonist, Peptide-R29, efficiently reversed Tregs suppression of Teff proliferation. Thus Tregs functional evaluation precisely reflects Tregs status and may be a reliable biomarker of tumoral immune response. In addition, treatment with CXCR4 antagonist, impairing Tregs function, could improve the anticancer immune response, in combination with conventional therapy and/or immunotherapy such as checkpoints inhibitors

Temporal pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) on surfaces of an intensive care unit of a large hospital

Background:Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are an increasing cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide. Patients with infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to carbapenems (KPC) have significant increases in both all-cause mortality and 30-day mortality. The aims of this study was to investigate the prevalence of KPC on environmental samples collected during and after an outbreak caused by KPC in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a teaching hospital. Methods:Between 2010 and 2014 we conducted a total of 132 environmental monitoring campaigns from different critical surface of ICU ward in a Teaching Hospital Policlinico Umberto I. Samples were collected on surfaces in patient rooms and health care area. All samples were cultured and K. pneumoniae isolates were identified by standard microbiological techniques. The presumptive colonies were confirmed and tested for antibiotic resistance by an automated system. K. pneumoniae resitant to carbapenems were tested for carbapenemase production by modified Hodge test. Results:A total of 2526 environmental samples were collected from November 2010 to July 2014. Of those, 111 resulted positive for K. pneumoniae while KPC were 95 (85.6% of all K. pneumoniae, 3.8% of total samples). KPC was recovered in all patient rooms with similar proportion (5.1-5.6%) with the exception of patient 6 bed room where it was lower (2.4%). The pathogen was not recovered in rooms dedicated to healthcare personnel and doctors. Among surfaces, the highest proportion of KPC resulted onbedrail (6.8%), more than double than other surfaces. Washbasins had nearly half of samples KPC positive (1.2%). Conclusions:Despite previous studies suggested that environment plays a minor role in the transmission of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae, our data highlighted that surfaces represents a significant reservoir for KPC possibly supporting transiently contamination of hands of healthcare workers in our ICU. Our results confirm that KPC are more likely found on surfaces closer to the patient than on those situated further away

Knowledge, attitude and practices of pediatricians regarding the prevention of oral diseases in Italy

BACKGROUND: Pediatricians are in an ideal position to advise families about the prevention and management of oral diseases in children. The objective of the study was to determine knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding the prevention of oral diseases among pediatricians in Italy. METHODS: A systematic random sample of 1000 pediatricians received a questionnaire on socio-demographic and practice characteristics; knowledge on risk factors; attitude and practices towards the prevention of oral diseases. RESULTS: A total of 507 pediatricians participated. More than half knew the main risk factors for oral diseases and this knowledge was higher in primary care pediatricians (p = 0.007), in those with a higher number of hours worked per week (p = 0.012), and who believed that oral diseases may be prevented (p = 0.017). Pediatricians with higher knowledge about the main risk factors (p = 0.006) believe that they have an important role in preventing oral diseases and that they can perform an oral examination. Almost all (89%) prescribed fluoride supplements and those younger (p = 0.016), with a higher number of patients seen in workday (p = 0.001), with longer practice activity (p = 0.004), those who believe that fluoride is effective in preventing caries (p < 0.0001), and who learned about prevention from scientific sources (p = 0.002) were more likely to prescribe fluoride. One-fourth and 40.6% provides and recommends a dental visit once a year and primary care pediatricians (p = 0.014) and those who believed that routine visit is important in preventing oral diseases (p < 0.0001) were more likely to recommend a dental visit once a year. CONCLUSION: The results showed a lack of knowledge among pediatricians although almost all believed that they had an important responsibility in preventing oral diseases and provided an oral examination