Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Known and Emerging Risk Factors

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver cancer with a high mortality rate. While chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections represent the leading risk factors worldwide, the spreading of metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) justifies the increasing attention on their oncogenic mechanisms. This review discusses about the main pathogenic mechanisms implicated in occurrence of HCC in presence of viral and metabolic diseases. Additionally, it points to the importance of clinical surveillance for those patients considered at risk of HCC and highlights the strategical role of serum markers, such as alfa-fetoprotein (αFP) and Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonist II (PIVKA-II), which, in association to a strictly instrumental follow-up, contribute to the early detection of hepatic nodules with a better prognosis for affected patients

Analysis of hepatic stiffness after viral eradication in a population with chronic hepatitis C treated with DAAs

Introduction and objectives: Despite chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is still a global burden as the high morbidity and mortality, the recently approved direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) permit a very high rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) in these patients. The clinical improvement due to viral eradication is being documented, however it is not clear why a subset of patients does not benefit in terms of fibrosis regression or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Aim of the study was to assess the hepatic stiffness regression at SVR24 and detect factors impacting stiffness course. Patients and methods: Hepatic stiffness assessed by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) and anthropometric- and biochemical parameters were retrospectively collected by 166 CHC patients treated with DAAs, form baseline and SVR24. Results: Viral eradication significantly improved overall hepatic stiffness and other related hepatitis hallmarks such as ALT, AST, γGT, platelets count, AST to Platelets ratio Index (APRI), total- and LDL cholesterol. The multiple regression analysis showed that patients with baseline glucose > 110mg/dl presented a stiffness regression significantly lower when compared to low glucose patients (<110mg/dl), moreover baseline HbA1c strongly correlated with DeltaStiffness. 7 patients (4.2%) developed HCC and importantly, presented hyperglycaemia and no stiffness regression nor platelets count recover. Conclusions: Although viral eradication with DAAs entails overall benefits, glycaemic decompensation negatively affects fibrosis regression and probably facilitates HCC development

Digital Education and LSP Contents in Language Learning and Teaching

The chapter will focus on how to investigate digital educational resources for the study of LSP languages and on how to use them to innovate or make more engaging language learning and teaching processes from the twofold perspective of the lecturer and the learner

Urogenital myiasis caused by Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in a domestic rabbit in Italy

The report describes a case of urogenital myiasis in a domestic rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus L. (Lagomorpha: Leporidae) caused by Lucilia sericata (Meigen; Diptera: Calliphoridae) in region Emilia-Romagna (Northern Italy). The case, occurring in June 2018, is the first one involving L. sericata as an agent of myiasis in a domestic rabbit in Italy. Species identification was based on morphological investigations of males through identification keys. The rabbit developed the urogenital myiasis as a consequence of chronic enteritis causing an accumulation of faeces in the perianal and perineal region

Implementation of Digital Language Learning Opportunities in Higher Education. Guidelines for Good Practice.

This publication is aimed at Higher Education policymakers, as well as Languages for Specific Purpose (LSP) lecturers. It contains important theoretical and practical guidelines to improve the implementation of digital-based language learning opportunities in higher education. It also intends to present, examine and reflect on the opportunities related to the use of digital technology in the language learning and teaching process.This publication brings together contributions from the six partners that integrate the QuILL project consortium. (2023-01-06