| 1. |
- Errico, Francesco, et al.
(author)
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Higher free d-aspartate and N-methyl-d-aspartate levels prevent striatal depotentiation and anticipate 1-DOPA-induced dyskinesia
- 2011
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In: Experimental Neurology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0014-4886 .- 1090-2430. ; 232:2, s. 240-250
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Parkinson's disease (PD) progressive alteration of striatal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) signaling has emerged as a considerable factor for the onset of the adverse motor effects of long-term levodopa (L-DOPA) treatment. In this regard, the NMDAR channel blocker amantadine is so far the only drug available for clinical use that attenuates L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID). In this study, we examined the influence of a basal corticostriatal hyper-glutamatergic transmission in the appearance of dyskinesia, using a genetic mouse model lacking D-Aspartate Oxidase (DDO) enzyme (Ddo(-/-)mice). We found that, in Ddo(-/-)mice, non-physiological, high levels of the endogenous free D-amino acids D-aspartate (D-Asp) and NMDA, known to stimulate NMDAR transmission, resulted in the loss of corticostriatal synaptic depotentiation and precocious expression of LID. Interestingly, the block of depotentiation precedes any change in dopaminergic transmission associated to 6-OHDA lesion and L-DOPA treatment. Indeed, lesioned mutant mice display physiological L-DOPA-dependent enhancement of striatal D1 receptor/PKA/protein phosphatase-1 and ERK signaling. Moreover, in line with synaptic rearrangements of NMDAR subunits occurring in dyskinetic animal models, a short L-DOPA treatment produces a dramatic and selective reduction of the NR2B subunit in the striatal post-synaptic fraction of Ddo(-/-) lesioned mutants but not in controls. These data indicate that a preexisting hyper-glutamatergic tone at NMDARs in Ddo(-/-) mice produce abnormal striatal synaptic changes that, in turn, facilitate the onset of LID. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Romano, Davide, et al.
(author)
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Artificial iris implantation in congenital aniridia: A systematic review
- 2023
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In: Survey of ophthalmology. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. - 0039-6257 .- 1879-3304. ; 68:4, s. 794-808
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Congenital aniridia is a rare, panocular disorder with a main phenotypic characteristic of a partial or complete absence of the iris existing alongside other ocular morbidities such as cataract, keratopathy, optic nerve and foveal hypoplasia, and nystagmus. The iris abnormality, however, often leads to symptoms such as photophobia, glare, and decreased visual acuity, as well as cosmetic dissatisfaction. Current management options for the iris deficit include colored iris contact lenses, corneal tattooing, and tinted contact lenses. Symptoms arising from small iris defects can be resolved with surgical management using micro-tying suture techniques such as McCannel or Siepser. Currently, larger iris defects can be treated with artificial iris implants. New prosthetic options range from colored intraocular lenses to flexible custom-made silicone iris implants. With a range of therapeutic options available and given the challenges of multiple comorbidities in aniridia, we evaluate the literature relating to the use of artificial iris implants in congenital aniridia, with a focus on the different surgical implantation techniques, the clinical outcomes achieved, complications occurred, and risk of bias of the studies included.& COPY; 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ )
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| 4. |
- Barbaud, Annick, et al.
(author)
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Allergies and COVID-19 vaccines : An ENDA/EAACI Position paper
- 2022
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In: Allergy. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 77:8, s. 2292-2312
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Anaphylaxis, which is rare, has been reported after COVID-19 vaccination, but its management is not standardized.Method Members of the European Network for Drug Allergy and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology interested in drug allergy participated in an online questionnaire on pre-vaccination screening and management of allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines, and literature was analysed.Results No death due to anaphylaxis to COVID-19 vaccines has been confirmed in scientific literature. Potential allergens, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polysorbate and tromethamine are excipients. The authors propose allergy evaluation of persons with the following histories: 1-anaphylaxis to injectable drug or vaccine containing PEG or derivatives; 2-anaphylaxis to oral/topical PEG containing products; 3-recurrent anaphylaxis of unknown cause; 4-suspected or confirmed allergy to any mRNA vaccine; and 5-confirmed allergy to PEG or derivatives. We recommend a prick-to-prick skin test with the left-over solution in the suspected vaccine vial to avoid waste. Prick test panel should include PEG 4000 or 3500, PEG 2000 and polysorbate 80. The value of in vitro test is arguable.Conclusions These recommendations will lead to a better knowledge of the management and mechanisms involved in anaphylaxis to COVID-19 vaccines and enable more people with history of allergy to be vaccinated.
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| 5. |
- Di Paolo, Antonello, et al.
(author)
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Population pharmacokinetics of daptomycin in patients affected by severe Gram-positive infections
- 2013
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In: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. - : Elsevier BV. - 0924-8579 .- 1872-7913. ; 42:3, s. 250-255
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A population pharmacokinetic analysis of daptomycin was performed based on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) data from 58 patients receiving doses of 4–12 mg/kg for the treatment of severe Gram-positive infections. At a daily dose of 8 mg/kg, daptomycin plasma concentrations (mean ± S.D.) were 76.9 ± 9.8 mg/L at the end of infusion and 52.7 ± 15.4 mg/L and 11.4 ± 5.4 mg/L at 0.5 h and 23 h after drug administration, respectively. The final model was a one-compartmental model with first-order elimination, with estimated clearance (CL) of 0.80 ± 0.14 L/h and a volume of distribution (Vd) of 0.19 ± 0.05 L/kg. Creatinine clearance (CLCr) was identified as having a significant influence on daptomycin CL, and a decrease in CLCr of 30 mL/min from the median value (80 mL/min) was associated with a reduction of daptomycin CL from 0.80 L/h to 0.73 L/h. These results confirm that the presence of severe infection may be associated with an altered disposition of daptomycin, with an increased Vd. MICs were available in 41 patients and results showed that 38 and 31 subjects achieved AUC/MIC values associated with bacteriostatic (>400) and bactericidal effects (>800), respectively. Of note, 31 of these 41 subjects experienced a clinical improvement or were cured. Although daptomycin pharmacokinetics may be influenced by infections, effective AUC/MIC values were achieved in the majority of patients. The present model may be applied in clinical settings for a TDM routine on the basis of a sparse blood sampling protocol.
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| 6. |
- Franchini, Mariagrazia, et al.
(author)
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The Gaia-ESO Survey : Carbon Abundance in the Galactic Thin and Thick Disks
- 2020
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : IOP PUBLISHING LTD. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 888:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper focuses on carbon, which is one of the most abundant elements in the universe and is of high importance in the field of nucleosynthesis and galactic and stellar evolution. The origin of carbon and the relative importance of massive and low- to intermediate-mass stars in producing it is still a matter of debate. We aim at better understanding the origin of carbon by studying the trends of [C/H], [C/Fe], and [C/Mg] versus [Fe/H] and [Mg/H] for 2133 FGK dwarf stars from the fifth Gaia-ESO Survey internal data release (GES iDR5). The availability of accurate parallaxes and proper motions from Gaia DR2 and radial velocities from GES iDR5 allows us to compute Galactic velocities, orbits, absolute magnitudes, and, for 1751 stars, Bayesian-derived ages. Three different selection methodologies have been adopted to discriminate between thin- and thick-disk stars. In all the cases, the two stellar groups show different [C/H], [C/Fe], and [C/Mg] and span different age intervals, with the thick-disk stars being, on average, older than the thin-disk ones. The behaviors of [C/H], [C/Fe], and [C/Mg] versus [Fe/H], [Mg/H], and age all suggest that C is primarily produced in massive stars. The increase of [C/Mg] for young thin-disk stars indicates a contribution from low-mass stars or the increased C production from massive stars at high metallicities due to the enhanced mass loss. The analysis of the orbital parameters R-med and supports an "inside-out" and "upside-down" formation scenario for the disks of the Milky Way.
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| 7. |
- Iovino, Maria Rosa, et al.
(author)
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Archaeological volcanic glass from the site of Rocchicella (Sicily, Italy)
- 2008
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In: Archaeometry. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0003-813X .- 1475-4754. ; 50:3, s. 474-494
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The site of Rocchicella, near Catania, in eastern Sicily, has yielded important archaeological evidence from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. Extensive archaeological investigations of cultural layers dating from the Palaeo-Mesolithic to the Copper Age have recently been undertaken, and volcanic glass, mainly obsidian, has been collected in the course of excavation. To determine the provenance of this volcanic glass, a non-destructive elemental analysis was carried out to measure the concentration of characteristic trace elements. The analysis was carried out using a new XRF spectrometer equipped with a beam stability controller and a quantitative method developed at the LANDIS laboratory of the INFN–CNR Institutes of Catania. In addition to the obsidian, it was demonstrated for the first time that a local vitreous material similar to obsidian, but displaying a completely different composition, was used during all the investigated periods. This material was identified as a basaltic glass, characterized by a superficial product of devitrification called palagonite. Analysis of the obsidians has led to the identification of the island of Lipari as the provenance source. High- and low-power microscopic use-wear analysis on obsidian and basaltic glass artefacts indicated that soft wood and plant matter might have been processed at the site.
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| 8. |
- Jung, Christian, et al.
(author)
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A comparison of very old patients admitted to intensive care unit after acute versus elective surgery or intervention
- 2019
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In: Journal of critical care. - : W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC. - 0883-9441 .- 1557-8615. ; 52, s. 141-148
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: We aimed to evaluate differences in outcome between patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) after elective versus acute surgery in a multinational cohort of very old patients (80 years; VIP). Predictors of mortality, with special emphasis on frailty, were assessed.Methods: In total, 5063 VIPs were induded in this analysis, 922 were admitted after elective surgery or intervention, 4141 acutely, with 402 after acute surgery. Differences were calculated using Mann-Whitney-U test and Wilcoxon test. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess associations with mortality.Results: Compared patients admitted after acute surgery, patients admitted after elective surgery suffered less often from frailty as defined as CFS (28% vs 46%; p < 0.001), evidenced lower SOFA scores (4 +/- 5 vs 7 +/- 7; p < 0.001). Presence of frailty (CFS >4) was associated with significantly increased mortality both in elective surgery patients (7% vs 12%; p = 0.01), in acute surgery (7% vs 12%; p = 0.02).Conclusions: VIPs admitted to ICU after elective surgery evidenced favorable outcome over patients after acute surgery even after correction for relevant confounders. Frailty might be used to guide clinicians in risk stratification in both patients admitted after elective and acute surgery.
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| 9. |
- Labit, B., et al.
(author)
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Dependence on plasma shape and plasma fueling for small edge-localized mode regimes in TCV and ASDEX Upgrade
- 2019
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 1741-4326 .- 0029-5515. ; 59:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- © 2019 Institute of Physics Publishing. All rights reserved. Within the EUROfusion MST1 work package, a series of experiments has been conducted on AUG and TCV devices to disentangle the role of plasma fueling and plasma shape for the onset of small ELM regimes. On both devices, small ELM regimes with high confinement are achieved if and only if two conditions are fulfilled at the same time. Firstly, the plasma density at the separatrix must be large enough (ne,sep/nG ∼ 0.3), leading to a pressure profile flattening at the separatrix, which stabilizes type-I ELMs. Secondly, the magnetic configuration has to be close to a double null (DN), leading to a reduction of the magnetic shear in the extreme vicinity of the separatrix. As a consequence, its stabilizing effect on ballooning modes is weakened.
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| 10. |
- Lazaridis, Iosif, et al.
(author)
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Ancient human genomes suggest three ancestral populations for present-day Europeans
- 2014
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 513:7518, s. 409-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We sequenced the genomes of a similar to 7,000-year-old farmer from Germany and eight similar to 8,000-year-old hunter-gatherers from Luxembourg and Sweden. We analysed these and other ancient genomes(1-4) with 2,345 contemporary humans to show that most present-day Europeans derive from at least three highly differentiated populations: west European hunter-gatherers, who contributed ancestry to all Europeans but not to Near Easterners; ancient north Eurasians related to Upper Palaeolithic Siberians(3), who contributed to both Europeans and Near Easterners; and early European farmers, who were mainly of Near Eastern origin but also harboured west European hunter-gatherer related ancestry. We model these populations' deep relationships and show that early European farmers had similar to 44% ancestry from a 'basal Eurasian' population that split before the diversification of other non-African lineages.
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