Claritromycin Resistance and Helicobacter pylori Genotypes in Italy

Francesco Vincenzo De,Margiotta Marcella,Zullo Angelo,Hassan Cesare,Valle Nicolar Della,Burattini Osvaldo,D'Angel Roberto,Stoppino Giuseppe,Cea Ugo,Giorgio Floriana,Monno Rosa,Morini Sergio,Panella Ca The Microbiological Society of Korea 2006 The journal of microbiology Vol.44 No.6

The relationship between H. pylori clarithromycin resistance and genetic pattern distribution has been differently explained from different geographic areas. Therefore, we aimed to assess the clarithromycin resistance rate, to evaluate the bacterial genetic pattern, and to search for a possible association between clarithromycin resistance and cagA or vacA genes. This prospective study enrolled 62 consecutive H. pylori infected patients. The infection was established by histology and rapid urease test. Clarithromycin resistance, cagA and vacA status, including s/m subtypes, were assessed on paraffin-embedded antral biopsy specimens by TaqMan real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Primary clarithromycin resistance was detected in 24.1 % of cases. The prevalence of cagA was 69.3%, and a single vacA mosaicism was observed in 95.1 % cases. In detail, the s1m1 was observed in 23 (38.9%) patients, the s1m2 in 22 (37.2%), and the s2m2 in 14 (23.7%), whereas the s2m1 combination was never found. The prevalence of cagA and the vacA alleles distribution did not significantly differ between susceptible and resistant strains. Primary clarithromycin resistance is high in our area. The s1m1 and s1m2 are the most frequent vacA mosaicisms. There is no a relationship between clarithromycin resistance and bacterial genotypic pattern and/or cagA positivity.

Claritromycin Resistance and Helicobacter pylori Genotypes in Italy

Vincenzo De Francesco,Marcella Margiotta,Cesare Hassan,Nicola Della Valle,Osvaldo Burattini,Roberto D’Angelo,Giuseppe Stoppino,Ugo Cea,Floriana Giorgio,Rosa Monno,Sergio Morini,Carmine Panella,Enzo Ie 한국미생물학회 2006 The journal of microbiology Vol.44 No.6

The relationship between H. pylori clarithromycin resistance and genetic pattern distribution has been differently explained from different geographic areas. Therefore, we aimed to assess the clarithromycin resistance rate, to evaluate the bacterial genetic pattern, and to search for a possible association between clarithromycin resistance and cagA or vacA genes. This prospective study enrolled 62 consecutive H. pylori infected patients. The infection was established by histology and rapid urease test. Clarithromycin resistance, cagA and vacA status, including s/m subtypes, were assessed on paraffin-embedded antral biopsy specimens by TaqMan real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Primary clarithromycin resistance was detected in 24.1% of cases. The prevalence of cagA was 69.3%, and a single vacA mosaicism was observed in 95.1% cases. In detail, the s1m1 was observed in 23 (38.9%) patients, the s1m2 in 22 (37.2%), and the s2m2 in 14 (23.7%), whereas the s2m1 combination was never found. The prevalence of cagA and the vacA alleles distribution did not significantly differ between susceptible and resistant strains. Primary clarithromycin resistance is high in our area. The s1m1 and s1m2 are the most frequent vacA mosaicisms. There is no a relationship between clarithromycin resistance and bacterial genotypic pattern and/or cagA positivity.

Modelling of aluminium foam sandwich panels

Vincenzo D’Alessandro,Giuseppe Petrone,Sergio De Rosa,Francesco Franco 국제구조공학회 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.13 No.4

applications thanks to the excellent combination of mechanical properties, high strength and stiffness, with functional ones, thermo-acoustic isolation and vibration damping. These properties strongly depend on the density of the foam, the morphology of the pores, the type (open or closed cells) and the size of the gas bubbles enclosed in the solid material. In this paper, the vibrational performances of two classes of sandwich panels with an Alulight R foam core are studied. Experimental tests, in terms of frequency response function and modal analysis, are performed in order to investigate the effect of different percentage of porosity in the foam, as well as the effect of the random distribution of the gas bubbles. Experimental results are used as a reference for developing numerical models using finite element approach. Firstly, a sensitivity analysis is performed in order to obtain a limit-but-bounded dynamic response, modelling the foam core as a homogeneous one. The experimental-numerical correlation is evaluated in terms of natural frequencies and mode shapes. Afterwards, an update of the previous numerical model is presented, in which the core is not longer modelled as homogeneous. Mass and stiffness are randomly distributed in the core volume, exploring the space of the eigenvectors.

Modelling of aluminium foam sandwich panels

D'Alessandro, Vincenzo,Petrone, Giuseppe,De Rosa, Sergio,Franco, Francesco Techno-Press 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.13 No.4

Aluminium Foam Sandwich (AFS) panels are becoming always more attractive in transportation applications thanks to the excellent combination of mechanical properties, high strength and stiffness, with functional ones, thermo-acoustic isolation and vibration damping. These properties strongly depend on the density of the foam, the morphology of the pores, the type (open or closed cells) and the size of the gas bubbles enclosed in the solid material. In this paper, the vibrational performances of two classes of sandwich panels with an Alulight(R) foam core are studied. Experimental tests, in terms of frequency response function and modal analysis, are performed in order to investigate the effect of different percentage of porosity in the foam, as well as the effect of the random distribution of the gas bubbles. Experimental results are used as a reference for developing numerical models using finite element approach. Firstly, a sensitivity analysis is performed in order to obtain a limit-but-bounded dynamic response, modelling the foam core as a homogeneous one. The experimental-numerical correlation is evaluated in terms of natural frequencies and mode shapes. Afterwards, an update of the previous numerical model is presented, in which the core is not longer modelled as homogeneous. Mass and stiffness are randomly distributed in the core volume, exploring the space of the eigenvectors.

Impact Attenuator Optimum Design for a FSAE Racing Car by Numerical and Experimental Crash Analysis

Coppola Ludovica,De Marco Bruno,Niola Vincenzo,Sakhnevych Aleksandr,Timpone Francesco 한국자동차공학회 2020 International journal of automotive technology Vol.21 No.6

One of the most important requirements of the Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) race cardesign competition is that the car structure must guarantee a high protection level in case of frontal impacts, by preventing intrusions into the driver foot zone or dangerous deceleration levels. These functions are mainly performed by the impact attenuators, which have to guarantee a high specific energy absorption capacity (SEA) and in order to preserve vehicle performances, have to be as light weighted as possible. The aim of this study is the design of an impact attenuator, to be mounted on a Formula SAE car, which main purpose is to obtain the optimal crash energy management, maximizing the absorbed energy and optimizing the geometry. The outcome of the study highlights that the absorber structure made up of honeycomb sandwich panels (primary energy absorbers), realized by means of different aluminium alloys employing an innovative design considering particular geometrical cavities within the structure, could lead to reduce the overall weight and to achieve a more progressive deformation during the impact.

Dermoscopy as a Supportive Instrument in the Early Recognition of Erosive Adenomatosis of the Nipple and Mammary Paget`s Disease

( Enzo Errichetti ),( Claudio Avellini ),( Enrico Pegolo ),( Vincenzo De Francesco ) 대한피부과학회 2017 Annals of Dermatology Vol.29 No.3

Pyridostigmine in Pediatric Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction: Case Report of a 2-year Old Girl and Literature Review

( Giovanni Di Nardo ),( Federica Viscogliosi ),( Francesco Esposito ),( Vincenzo Stanghellini ),( Maria Pia Villa ),( Pasquale Parisi ),( Alessia Morlando ),( Girolamo Cal ),( Roberto De Giorgio ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2019 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.25 No.4

Pediatric chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare disorder characterized by a severe impairment of gastrointestinal motility leading to intestinal obstruction symptoms in the absence of mechanical causes. The diagnosis is usually clinical and diagnostic work is usually aimed to rule out mechanical obstruction and to identify any underlying diseases. Treatment is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary effort. In this manuscript we describe the youngest child successfully treated with the orally administrable, longacting, reversible anti-cholinesterase drug, pyridostigmine. Like other drugs belonging to cholinesterase inhibitors, pyridostigmine enhances gut motility by increasing acetylcholine availability in the enteric nervous system and neuro-muscular junctions. Based on the direct evidence from the reported case, we reviewed the current literature on the use of pyridostigmine in severe pediatric dysmotility focusing on intestinal pseudo-obstruction. The overall data emerged from the few published studies suggest that pyridostigmine is an effective and usually well tolerated therapeutic options for patients with intestinal pseudo-obstruction. More specifically, the main results obtained by pyridostigmine included marked reduction of abdominal distension, reduced need of parenteral nutrition, and improvement of oral feeding. The present case and review on pyridostigmine pave the way for eagerly awaited future randomized controlled studies testing the efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors in pediatric severe gut dysmotility. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2019;25:508-514)

Survival in clinical stage I endometrial cancer with single vs. multiple positive pelvic nodes: results of a multi-institutional Italian study

Stefano Uccella,Francesca Falcone,Stefano Greggi,Francesco Fanfani,Pierandrea De Iaco,Giacomo Corrado,Marcello Ceccaroni,Vincenzo Dario Mandato,Stefano Bogliolo,Jvan Casarin,Giorgia Monterossi,Ciro Pi 대한부인종양학회 2018 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.29 No.6

Objective: To investigate survival outcomes in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) patients with single vs. multiple positive pelvic lymph nodes. Methods: We performed a retrospective evaluation of all consecutive patients with histologically proven International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIC1 EEC who underwent primary surgical treatment between 2004 and 2014 at seven Italian gynecologic oncology referral centers. Patients with pre- or intra-operative evidence of extra-uterine disease (including the presence of bulky nodes) and patients with stage IIIC2 disease were excluded, in order to obtain a homogeneous population. Results: Overall 140 patients met the inclusion criteria. The presence of >1 metastatic pelvic node was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence and mortality, compared to only 1 metastatic node, at both univariate (recurrence: hazard ratio [HR]=2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.2–3.99; p=0.01; mortality: HR=2.8; 95% CI=1.24–6.29; p=0.01) and multivariable analysis (recurrence: HR=1.91; 95% CI=1.02–3.56; p=0.04; mortality: HR=2.62; 95% CI=1.13–6.05; p=0.02) and it was the only independent predictor of prognosis in this subset of patients. Disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were significantly longer in patients with only 1 metastatic node compared to those with more than 1 metastatic node (p=0.008 and 0.009, respectively). Conclusion: The presence of multiple metastatic nodes in stage IIIC1 EEC represents an independent predictor of worse survival, compared to only one positive node. Our data suggest that EEC patients may be categorized according to the number of positive nodes.

Monitoring the activities of Italian colposcopy clinics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Giovanni Delli Carpini,Paolo Giorgi Rossi,Luca Giannella,Jacopo Di Giuseppe,Nicolò Clemente,Francesco Sopracordevole,Maggiorino Barbero,Giorgio Bogani,Rosa De Vincenzo,Massimo Origoni,Francesco Cantat 대한부인종양학회 2023 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.34 No.1

Objective: To evaluate the impact of healthcare reorganization during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic on Italian colposcopy clinic activities, focusing on cervical excision procedures, follow-ups for conservative management of low-grade lesions, and follow-ups post cervical excision. Methods: Retrospective study conducted in 14 Italian colposcopy clinics. The number and clinical characteristics of cervical excisions, follow-ups for conservative management of low-grade lesions, and follow-ups after cervical excision were compared between the period March 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020 (pre-pandemic) and March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 (pandemic) with a Poisson regression analysis. Results: In the pandemic period, the number of cervical excisions was reduced by 8.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]=−15.6% to −2%; p=0.011). Excisions were less frequently performed in the operating room (−35.1%; 95% CI=−47.6% to −22.6%; p<0.001), the number of patients from spontaneous screening was reduced by −14.0% (95% CI=−23.4% to −4.6%; p=0.003), and the CO2-laser technique was used less frequently (−30%; 95% CI=−45.1% to −15.0%; p<0.001). As compared to the pre-pandemic period, the number of follow-ups for conservative management of low-grade lesions was reduced by −26.7% (95% CI=−39.0% to −14.4%; p<0.001), and the follow-up appointments after cervical excision were reduced by −51.0% (95% CI=−58.1% to −43.9%; p<0.001). Conclusion: The most significant impact of the healthcare reorganization during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was on follow-ups after cervical excision. The resumption of disrupted activities should follow a risk-based prioritization, starting from women in follow-up after cervical excision. It is advisable that the trend of performing cervical excision as an outpatient procedure is maintained in the post-pandemic period.