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.

Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Laurus nobilis L. Leaf Infusion

Stefano Dall'Acqua,Rinaldo Cervellati,Ester Speroni,Stefano Costa,Maria Clelia Guerra,Laura Stella,Emanuela Greco,Gabbriella Innocenti 한국식품영양과학회 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.4

Laurus nobilis L. (laurel) leaves are frequently used as a spice for cooking purposes. Folk medicine in many countries uses the infusion of the plant in stomachic and carminative remedies, as well as for the treatment of gastric diseases. Little information is available about the phytochemical composition of the infusion of dried leaves, which is a way to consume this aromatic and medicinal plant. Phytochemical investigations on the infusion were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD) and direct electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Several flavonoid derivatives were detected. Semipreparative HPLC from the infusion of laurel leaves isolated 10 flavonoid O-glycosides, one flavonoid C-glycoside, catechin, and cinnamtannin B1. Structures of the isolated compounds were computed on the basis of spectral measurements including high-resolution mass spectrometry spectroscopy and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The amount of the flavonoids was also determined by HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant activity of the tea and the isolated compounds was also measured using two different in vitro methods: the Briggs-Rauscher oscillating reaction test, at a pH similar to that of the gastric juice, and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay, at the pH of blood. For the infusion and the methanol extract the total phenolic content was also measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent.

Light-lift helicopter logging operations in the Italian Alps: a preliminary study based on GNSS and a video camera system

Stefano Grigolato,Stefano Panizza,Marco Pellegrini,Pierre Ackerman,Raffaele Cavalli 한국산림과학회 2016 Forest Science And Technology Vol.12 No.2

Terrain access is a critical factor influencing the feasibility of forest operations in steep mountainous terrain. Long extraction distances coupled with terrain obstacles can favor the use of helicopters in timber extraction in such areas. However, helicopter logging in the Italian Alps is not commonplace when compared to other Alpine regions, for example, in Switzerland and Austria. The use of light-lift helicopters has recently caught the attention of practitioners as an alternative to more traditional medium- to heavy-lift aircraft in the Alps. This article reports the findings of two preliminary case studies using light-lift helicopters for the extraction of high value timber and fire-damaged timber subsequently exposed to bark beetle disturbance. In order to provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting helicopter logging productivity, the two case studies were separately analyzed using time-element analysis supported by on-board global navigation satellite system (GNSS) devices. Additionally, an external video camera was used to continuously monitor the operations. The payload utilization was 86% for the extraction of high value timber and 70% for fire-damaged timber subsequently exposed to bark beetle disturbance. Variation in the turn time was mostly related to the hooking, choker return, and load times, as well as flying distance. Above all, the load hooking time explains c. 27% of the variance, revealing its critical influence on logging productivity.

Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Laurus nobilis L. Leaf Infusion

Dall'Acqua, Stefano,Cervellati, Rinaldo,Speroni, Ester,Costa, Stefano,Guerra, Maria Clelia,Stella, Laura,Greco, Emanuela,Innocenti, Gabbriella The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.4

Laurus nobilis L. (laurel) leaves are frequently used as a spice for cooking purposes. Folk medicine in many countries uses the infusion of the plant in stomachic and carminative remedies, as well as for the treatment of gastric diseases. Little information is available about the phytochemical composition of the infusion of dried leaves, which is a way to consume this aromatic and medicinal plant. Phytochemical investigations on the infusion were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD) and direct electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Several flavonoid derivatives were detected. Semipreparative HPLC from the infusion of laurel leaves isolated 10 flavonoid O-glycosides, one flavonoid C-glycoside, catechin, and cinnamtannin B1. Structures of the isolated compounds were computed on the basis of spectral measurements including high-resolution mass spectrometry spectroscopy and one- and twodimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The amount of the flavonoids was also determined by HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant activity of the tea and the isolated compounds was also measured using two different in vitro methods: the Briggs-Rauscher oscillating reaction test, at a pH similar to that of the gastric juice, and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay, at the pH of blood. For the infusion and the methanol extract the total phenolic content was also measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent.

The Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Oncology Recommendation for Breast Tumor Recurrence: Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation Criteria

Marta Bottero,Valentina Borzillo,Stefano Pergolizzi,Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa,Edy Ippolito,Giovanni Piero Frezza,Lucio Fortunato,Renzo Corvò,Giovanni Luigi Pappagallo,Stefano Arcangeli,Stefano M. 한국유방암학회 2021 Journal of breast cancer Vol.24 No.3

Salvage mastectomy is currently considered the standard of care for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Alternative treatment options for these patients, such as a second BCS followed by repeated RT, have been suggested. The panel of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology developed clinical recommendations for second BCS followed by re-irradiation over mastectomy alone for women with IBTR using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology and the evidence to decision framework. The following outcomes were identified by the panel: locoregional control, metastasis-free survival, overall survival, and cancer-specific survival; acute and late toxicity, specific late toxicity, second locoregional tumor, and death related to treatment. An Embase and PubMed literature search was performed by two independent authors. Five retrospective observational studies were eligible for inclusion in the present analysis. According to the reports in the literature and our analysis, the advantages of second quadrantectomy and re-irradiation (re-QUART) outweigh its side effects, with overall good rates of survival and adequate toxicity without increasing costs. Given the very low level of evidence, the panel stated that a second BCS plus re-irradiation can be considered as an alternative to salvage mastectomy for selected patients with IBTR.

From institutional Paternalism to Parental Despotism : The Continuing Appeal of Eugenics

Stefano Fait EWHA INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL LAW & ETHICS 2008 BIOMEDICAL LAW & ETHICS Vol.2 No.1

Recent developments in biotechnology have raised questions that have not been previously addressed, questions about the morality of altering the human genome, the alleged difference between old eugenics and the new, ostensibly laissez faire "techno-eugenics", and the possible social effects of these developments. These are tough questions, not small questions of procedure. They are difficult to answer satisfactorily, unless "secular moral experts" acknowledge that in assessing the ethical implications of genomics and biotechnology, we should also consider that science, technology, and bioethics do not exist in a vacuum and are not socially, politically and ethically neutral. Socio-cultural ideologies and societal arrangements shape the meaning of notions like 'therapy and 'enhancement' and certain technologies have a greater social impact, may require the State to intervene in the phvate sphere, and may be differentially accessible to users. Also, science and technology can change our relationship with other people and with our environment. Hence the importance of ethnographic, historical, legal, and cross-cultural studies for the analysis of today's thorniest bioethical controversies. The purpose of this paper is to shed light on some of the substantive problems in the domain of eugenics and human germline engineering.

Rotator cuff degeneration and healing after rotator cuff repair

Stefano Gumina,Hyungsuk Kim,Younsung Jung,Hyun Seok Song 대한견주관절의학회 2023 대한견주관절의학회지 Vol.26 No.3

Rotator cuff tear is a common shoulder injury that compromises both function and quality of life. Despite the prevalence of the injury and advancements in repair techniques, a significant percentage of these repairs fail. This review aims to explore the multifactorial reasons behind this failure, including the degenerative nature of the rotator cuff tendon, inherent and extrinsic factors, and the role of hypoxia in tissue degeneration. Additionally, it elucidates potential strategies for improving healing outcomes.

Abelson Helper Integration Site-1 Gene Variants on Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

Stefano Porcelli,배치운,한창수,이수정,Ashwin A Patkar,Prakash S. Masand,Beatrice Balzarro,Siegfried Alberti,Diana De Ronchi,Alessandro Serretti 대한신경정신의학회 2014 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.11 No.4

Objective The present study aimed to explore whether 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the AHI1 gene could be associated with major depressive disorder (MD) and bipolar disorder (BD), and whether they could predict clinical outcomes in mood disorders. Methods One hundred and eighty-four (184) patients with MD, 170 patients with BD and 170 healthy controls were genotyped for 4 AHI1 SNPs (rs11154801, rs7750586, rs9647635 and rs9321501). Baseline and final clinical measures for MD patients were assessed through the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Allelic and genotypic frequencies in MD and BD subjects were compared with those of each disorder and healthy group using the χ2 statistics. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test possible influences of SNPs on treatment efficacy. Results The rs9647635 A/A was more represented in subjects with BD as compared with MD and healthy subjects together. The rs9647635 A/A was also more presented in patients with MD than in healthy subjects. With regard to the allelic analysis, rs9647635 A allele was more represented in subjects with BD compared with healthy subjects, while it was not observed between patients with MD and healthy subjects. Conclusion Our findings provide potential evidence of an association between some variants of AHI1 and mood disorders susceptibility but not with clinical outcomes. However, we will need to do more adequately-powered and advanced association studies to draw any conclusion due to clear limitations.

An Integrated Air Monitoring Approach for Assessment of Formaldehyde in the Workplace

Stefano Dugheri,Alessandro Bonari,Ilenia Pompilio,Marco Colpo,Nicola Mucci,Giulio Arcangeli 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2018 Safety and health at work Vol.9 No.4

The aim of this study is to validate an integrated air monitoring approach for assessing airborne formaldehyde (FA) in the workplace. An active sampling by silica gel impregnated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, a passive solid phase microextraction technique using O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine as on-fiber derivatization reagent, an electrochemical direct-reading monitor, and an enzyme-based badge were evaluated and tested over a range of 0.020–5.12 ppm, using dynamically generated FA air concentrations. Simple linear regression analysis showed the four methods were suitable for evaluating airborne FA. Personal and area samplings in 12 anatomy pathology departments showed that the international occupational exposure limits in the GESTIS database were frequently exceeded. This monitoring approach would allow a fast, easy-to-use, and economical evaluation of both current work practices and eventual changes made to reduce FA vapor concentrations.

A Pilot Study of Percutaneous Interlaminar Endoscopic Lumbar Sequestrectomy: A Modern Strategy to Tackle Medically-Refractory Radiculopathies and Restore Spinal Function

Stefano Maria Priola,Mario Ganau,Giovanni Raffa,Antonino Scibilia,Faisal Farrash,Antonino Germanò 대한척추신경외과학회 2019 Neurospine Vol.16 No.1

Objective: Angled scopes allow 360° visualization, which makes percutaneous endoscopic techniques (percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy, PELD) particularly attractive for sequestrectomies, which entail the removal of extruded lumbar disc fragments that have migrated caudally or cranially between the ligaments, foramina, and neural structures, while preserving the disc. Although many different PELD techniques are currently available, not all of them are suitable for sequestrectomies; furthermore, long-term follow-up data are unfortunately lacking. Methods: A pilot study was conducted on a cohort of 270 patients with lumbar radiculopathy undergoing minimally invasive spine surgery (PELD or microdiscectomy), of whom only 7 were eligible for endoscopic interlaminar sequestrectomy with disc preservation. The patients’ baseline conditions and clinical outcomes were measured with the Oswestry Disability Index and a visual analogue scale. Long-term follow-up was conducted using satisfaction questionnaires that were based on the MacNab criteria and administered by medical/nursing personnel not involved in their primary surgical management. Results: EasyGo system was eventually used in 5 PELD cases. No dural tears, infections, or nerve root injuries were recorded in patients undergoing sequestrectomy. Surgical events, including blood loss and overall length of hospital stay, did not differ significantly among the 270 patients. In the group treated with endoscopic sequestrectomy, no recurrences or complications were noted during a follow-up of 3 years, and an excellent degree of satisfaction was reported. Conclusion: We provide OCEBM (Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine) level 3 evidence that interlaminar endoscopic sequestrectomy is a tailored and well-tolerated surgical option; nonetheless, a cost-effectiveness analysis assessing the interval until return to working activities and long-term benefits is warranted.