China's Outward FDI: An Industry-level Analysis of Host Country Determinants

We provide an empirical analysis of host country determinants of Chinese outward FDI for the period 2003 to 2008, using data disaggregated by country and industry. We want to assess the relevance of market-seeking, resource-seeking and strategic asset seeking motivations suggested by the theory on FDI determinants. Our results show that only FDI in manufacturing is attracted by market seeking motivations. As expected, resource seeking is an important motivation for Chinese FDI in resource related sectors, which usually refers to countries with political fragile environments. Strategic asset seeking motivations are relevant for both manufacturing and services.China, foreign direct investment, internationalization, trade-FDI nexus

Corrigendum to "Mechanisms of responsiveness to and resistance against trabectedin in murine models of human myxoid liposarcoma" [Genomics Volume 113, Issue 5, September 2021, Pages 3439–3448]

n/

Identification of metabolic biomarkers of chronic vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in subjects with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE)

Neuromodulation by means of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy, reduces seizure frequency and improves quality of life in subjects with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), yet its molecular mechanism remains unclear. This study investigates the impact of chronic VNS on lipid bioactive metabolites and fatty acids (FA) in the plasma and red blood cells of seven subjects with DRE. By measuring expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) and sirtuin1 (SIRT1) genes-key regulators in energy and lipid metabolism-and lipid profiles before and after various stages of VNS, this study identifies potential mechanisms by which VNS may reduce seizure frequency. Blood samples collected before VNS device implantation, after acute VNS stimulus, and following gradual intensity increments up to therapeutic levels revealed that VNS increases SIRT1 and PPAR alpha expression and erythrocyte concentrations of PPAR alpha ligands. Additionally, we observe reduced de novo lipogenesis biomarkers in erythrocytes, indicating that VNS may influence systemic lipid and energy metabolism. Our findings suggest that VNS could enhance neuronal function by modulating energy metabolism, thus potentially reducing seizure frequency in subjects with DRE. Future research targeting SIRT1 and PPAR alpha may provide innovative therapeutic strategies for managing DRE

Polybutylene succinate artificial scaffold for peripheral nerve regeneration

Regeneration and recovery of nerve tissues are a great challenge for medicine, and positively affect the quality of life of patients. The development of tissue engineering offers a new approach to the problem with the creation of multifunctional artificial scaffolds that act on various levels in the damaged tissue, providing physical and biochemical support for the growth of nerve cells. In this study, the effects of the use of a tubular scaffold made of polybutylene succinate (PBS), surgically positioned at the level of a sciatic nerve injured in rat, between the proximal stump and the distal one, was investigated. Scaffolds characterization was carried out by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microcomputed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, in vivo. The demonstration of the nerve regeneration was based on the evaluation of electroneurography, measuring the weight of gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles, histological examination of regenerated nerves and observing the recovery of the locomotor activity of animals. The PBS tubular scaffold minimized iatrogenic trauma on the nerve, acting as a directional guide for the regenerating fibers by conveying them toward the distal stump. In this context, neurotrophic and neurotropic factors may accumulate and perform their functions, while invasion by macrophages and scar tissue is hampered

Neurological Consequences, Mental Health, Physical Care, and Appropriate Nutrition in Long-COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused a collapse of the world health systems. Now, vaccines and more effective therapies have reversed this crisis but the scenario is further aggravated by the appearance of a new pathology, occurring as SARS-CoV-2 infection consequence: the long-COVID-19. This term is commonly used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after acute infection of COVID-19 up to several months. In this review, the consequences of the disease on mental health and the neurological implications due to the long-COVID are described. Furthermore, the appropriate nutritional approach and some recommendations to relieve the symptoms of the pathology are presented. Data collected indicated that in the next future the disease will affect an increasing number of individuals and that interdisciplinary action is needed to counteract it

Long-term disease stability with bicalutamide in a man with aggressive angiomyxoma: case report and state of art

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm, which is commonly diagnosed in females and located in the perineal and pelvic region. Tissue specimens of AA patients often show positivity for estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PgR), while some cases of androgen receptor (AR) positivity have been reported in males. When feasible, surgical excision represent the most effective treatment of AA; however, when experiencing advanced or recurrent disease, local disease control could be achieved with systemic hormonal treatment. To date, evidence regarding AA management in male patients is scarce, and only a few cases have been reported in literature. Hereby, we describe the case of a 59-year-old-man suffering from perineal AA with positivity for androgen receptors (AR) showing a long-lasting disease stability during the treatment with an AR-blocking drug (bicalutamide). A literature review regarding the state of art of AA management with a particular look to male patients is also provided

High-Dose Ifosfamide Chemotherapy in a Series of Patients Affected by Myxoid Liposarcoma

Background. To report on the activity of high-dose prolonged-infusion ifosfamide (HDIFX) chemotherapy in a retrospective series of patients affected by myxoid liposarcoma treated at Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, Italy. Patients and Methods. Patients with an advanced myxoid liposarcoma treated with HDIFX (14 g/sqm, i.v., prolonged infusion of 14 days every 28 days) as a single agent between May 2002 and April 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. All pathologic diagnoses were centrally reviewed and molecularly confirmed. Response was evaluated by RECIST, and survival functions were computed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results. Eleven patients with advanced myxoid liposarcoma were treated with HDIFX (male/female = 9/2, median age 33 years, range 31–75). Among these, 1/11 received HDIFX in first line, 5/11 in second line, 3/11 in third line, and 2/11 in fourth line for a median course number of 3 (range 2–7). No RECIST objective responses were observed. Overall median progression-free survival was 1,9 months. Median overall survival was 37 months. At a median follow-up of 115 months, 1 patient is alive. Conclusions. In this series of patients affected by advanced myxoid liposarcoma, chemotherapy with HDIFX was essentially inactive

Osservatorio territoriale droga e tossicodipendenze. Il Fenomeno delle dipendenze sul territorio della ASL MI 3. Anno 2007.

Report on the state of legal and illegal substances use in the territory of the Local Healthcare Service-Mi 3, Province of Milan.Il report analizza il fenomeno delle dipendenze nel territorio della ASL Milano 2. La descrizione del fenomeno si sviluppa intorno all\u27analisi degli indicatori individuati dall\u27Osservatorio Europeo delle Dipendenze di Lisbona (OEDT): 1-uso di sostanze nella popolazione generale (questo indicatore va a rilevare i comportamenti nei confronti di alcol e sostanze psicoattive da parte della popolazione generale); 2-prevalenza d\u27uso problematico delle sostanze psicoattive; 3-domanda di trattamento degli utilizzatori di sostanze; 4-mortalit? degli utilizzatori di sostanze; 5-malattie infettive. Altri due importanti indicatori che si stanno sviluppando, e che vengono qui illustrati, sono l\u27analisi delle Schede di Dimissione Ospedaliera (SDO) e gli indicatori relativi alle conseguenza sociali dell\u27uso di droghe (criminalit? droga correlata). Inoltre sono state applicate diverse metodologie standard di stima sia per quantificare la quota parte sconosciuta di utilizzatori di sostanze che non afferiscono ai servizi, sia per identificarne alcune caratteristiche