One country, multiple country-related effects: An international comparative analysis among emerging countries on Italian fashion products

Tommaso Pucci,Elena Casprini,Simone Guercini,Lorenzo Zanni 한국마케팅과학회 2017 Journal of Global Fashion Marketing Vol.8 No.2

The purpose of this paper is to understand whether the impact of country image and product-specifi c country-of-origin over the willingness to pay premium prices is diff erent among consumers from diff erent emerging countries. After a review of the literature shedding light on the heterogeneity of country-related cues, the paper provides fi rst empirical evidence of a cross-national analysis based on data gathered from 2364 consumers belonging to 4 emerging countries (China, India, Thailand and Brazil) and the domestic country (Italy). The data-set was used to verify whether country image (i.e. the image consumers have of Italy as a country) and product-specifi c country-oforigin image (i.e. the image consumers have of “Made in Italy” fashion products) impact in a diff erent way on the willingness to pay premium prices for Italian fashion products. Results show that country image and product-specifi c country of origin are country-specifi c, presenting diff erent roles in the countries considered. Country-related cues in marketing strategies are still an important factor aff ecting consumer behaviour, especially for certain products. This paper sheds light on how country-related eff ects for fashion products diff er across countries, with implications for both practitioners and researchers.

Prostate calcifications: A case series supporting the microbial biofilm theory

Tommaso Cai,Francesco Tessarolo,Iole Caola,Federico Piccoli,Giandomenico Nollo,Patrizio Caciagli,Sandra Mazzoli,Alessandro Palmieri,Paolo Verze,Gianni Malossini,Vincenzo Mirone,Truls E. Bjerklund Joha 대한비뇨의학회 2018 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.59 No.3

Purpose: Prostate calcifications are a common finding during transrectal prostate ultrasound in both healthy subjects and patients, but their etiopathogenesis and clinical significance are not fully understood. We aimed to establish a new methodology for evaluating the role of microbial biofilms in the genesis of prostate calcifications. Materials and Methods: Ten consecutive patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy were enrolled in this study. All of the patients presented with prostate calcifications during transrectal ultrasound evaluation before surgery and underwent Meares-Stamey tests and clinical evaluation with the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index and the International Prostate Symptom Score. At the time of radical prostatectomy, the prostate specimen, after removal, was analyzed with ultrasonography under sterile conditions in the operating room. Core biopsy specimens were taken from the site of prostate calcification and subjected to ultrastructural and microbiological analysis. Results: The results of the Meares-Stamey test showed only 1 of 10 patients (10%) with positive cultures for Escherichia coli. Two of five patients (40%) had positive cultures from prostate biopsy specimens. Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus raffinosus, and Citrobacter freundii were isolated. Ultrastructural analysis of the prostate biopsy specimens showed prostate calcifications in 6 of 10 patients (60%), and a structured microbial biofilm in 1 patient who had positive cultures for E. faecalis and E. raffinosus. Conclusions: Although the findings are supported by a low number of patients, this study highlights the validity of the proposed methodology for investigating the role of bacterial biofilms in the genesis of prostate calcification.

Focal liver lesions: interobserver and intraobserver agreement of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound-assisted volume measurements

Tommaso Vincenzo Bartolotta,Antonio Sidoti Pinto,Roberto Cannella,Giorgia Porrello,Rossana Taravella,Angelo Randazzo,Adele Taibbi 대한초음파의학회 2021 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.40 No.3

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the interobserver and intraobserver agreement of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound (3D-CEUS) volume calculations of focal liver lesions (FLLs). Methods: Thirty-nine patients (15 men and 24 women; mean age, 55.4 years) with 39 FLLs (mean size, 3.1±1.8 cm; size range, 1 to 8 cm) prospectively underwent 3D-CEUS. Four readers calculated the volume of each lesion in an independent and blinded fashion in two separate sessions by means of a semi-automatic, commercially available proprietary software. The differences in lesion volumes (cm3 ) among sessions and readers were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Bland-Altman analysis was also performed. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. The statistical significance level was set at P<0.05. Results: Among readers, there were no statistically significant differences in the first (P=0.953) and second (P=0.592) reading sessions for volume calculations of the 39 FLLs, with almost perfect inter-reader agreement (ICC values of the first reading session, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.992 to 0.998 and ICC value of the second reading session, 0.994; 95% CI, 0.990 to 0.997, respectively). For each of the four readers, there were no significant differences in volume calculations between the two sessions (P=0.503-0.924), and the intrareader agreement was almost perfect for each reader (R1: ICC, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.991 to 0.998; R2: ICC, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.988 to 0.997; R3: ICC, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.992 to 0.998; R4: ICC, 0.985; 95% CI, 0.971 to 0.992). Conclusion: 3D-CEUS volume calculations provided consistent measurements across different readers with almost perfect intrareader agreement.

Extended distal pancreatectomy with thoracic wall resection after neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX: Is there a limit of resection for pancreatic cancer after downstaging?

Tommaso Giuliani,Maria Lopez Rubio,Eva Montalva Oron,Javier Maupoey Ibanez,Andrea Bosca Robledo,Cecilia Lopez Valdivia,Judith Perez Rojas,Rafael Lopez Andujar 한국간담췌외과학회 2020 Annals of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery Vol.24 No.1

Indications and outcomes of extended pancreatectomies have been recently appraised by the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery. However, no definitive conclusions have been drawn, particularly in the setting of neoadjuvant treatments. We present here a case of 53-year-old man diagnosed with a bulky adenocarcinoma of the tail of the pancreas and infiltrating the adjacent organs and the thoracic wall. The patient was sent to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and he underwent 12 cycles of FOLFIRINOX. Since a significant radiological response was observed after chemotherapy, the patient was scheduled for extended distal pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the thoracic wall, in order to achieve a radical resection. The surgery is herein described with all technical details. The patient was discharged after an uneventful early post-operative course and subsequently readmitted for a late grade B post-operative pancreatic fistula, which was ultimately treated successfully. Pathology showed complete response. When performed in centers with ample experience in pancreatic surgery, extended pancreatic resections represent a viable curative option with acceptable surgical outcomes. In this setting, challenging tailored resections should be considered to achieve negative margins, particularly following maximized effective downstaging strategies.

Detection of liver metastases in cancer patients with geographic fatty infiltration of the liver: the added value of contrast-enhanced sonography

Tommaso Vincenzo Bartolotta,Adele Taibbi,Dario Picone,Andrea Anastasi,Massimo Midiri,Roberto Lagalla 대한초음파의학회 2017 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.36 No.2

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the detection of liver metastases in cancer patients with geographic liver fatty deposition on greyscale ultrasonography (US). Methods: Thirty-seven consecutive cancer patients (24 women and 13 men; age, 33 to 80 years; mean, 58.1 years) with geographic liver fatty deposition, but without any detectable focal liver lesion on greyscale US, underwent sulphur hexafluoride-enhanced US. Two readers reported by consensus the presence, size, and location of any detected lesion. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a confirmatory study. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), and accuracy were calculated. Results: Seven focal liver lesions (size, 4 to 10 mm; mean, 6.1 mm) were detected in 4/37 patients (10.8%): four metastases (size, 5 to 10 mm; mean, 6.7 mm) were detected both by CEUS and MRI, with one hemangioma and two cysts (size range, 4 to 6 mm; mean, 5.3 mm) detected by MRI only. In 1/37 patients (2.7%), CEUS misdiagnosed geographic fatty change as three metastases. In 32/37 patients (86.5%), no lesions were detected. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of CEUS were 100% (95% confidence Interval [CI], 1.000 to 1.000), 97.1% (95% CI, 0.914 to 1.027), 75%, 100%, and 97.3%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between CEUS and MRI in the detection of focal liver lesions (P=0.480), whereas both of them performed better than baseline US (P<0.001). Conclusion: CEUS improves the detection of liver metastases in cancer patients with geographic liver fatty deposition on greyscale US.

Occupational Risks in Midwifery: From Bernardino Ramazzini to Modern Times

Tommaso Bianchi,Michael Belingheri,Antonella Nespoli,Giovanni De Vito,Michele A. Riva 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2019 Safety and health at work Vol.10 No.2

Occupational risks are often underestimated in midwifery. It is not commonly known that occupational risks were originally described by the Italian physician Bernardino Ramazzini (1633e1714) at the beginning of the 18th century. Our aim was to describe occupational risks in midwifery from Ramazzini to modern times. The original text by Bernardino Ramazzini was analyzed. A review of modern scientific articles on occupational risks in midwifery was conducted. Ramazzini identified two major occupational risks in midwifery: infections and awkward postures. Modern literature seems to agree with his considerations, focusing on infection, use of universal protection and personal protective equipment, and musculoskeletal problems. Modern studies also evidenced posttraumatic stress disorder that was probably postulated by Ramazzini himself. The poor number of articles in literature on midwives’ occupational risks shows a lack of interest toward this issue. Prevention should therefore be emphasized in this field, so high-quality studies on occupational risks in midwifery are needed.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of hepatocellular carcinoma: where do we stand?

Tommaso Vincenzo Bartolotta,Adele Taibbi,Massimo Midiri,Roberto Lagalla 대한초음파의학회 2019 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.38 No.3

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) represents a significant breakthrough in ultrasonography (US), and it is being increasingly used for the evaluation of focal liver lesions (FLLs). CEUS is unique in that it allows non-invasive assessment of liver perfusion in real time throughout the vascular phase, which has led to dramatic improvements in the diagnostic accuracy of US in the detection and characterization of FLLs, the choice of therapeutic procedures, and the evaluation of response. Currently, CEUS is included as a part of the suggested diagnostic work-up of FLLs, including in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, resulting in better patient management and cost-effective delivery of therapy.

Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lower Lip: Analysis of the 5-Year Survival Rate

Tommaso Agostini,Giuseppe Spinelli,Francesco Arcuri,Raffaella Perello 대한두개안면성형외과학회 2017 Archives of Craniofacial Surgery Vol.18 No.2

Background: The author analyse the impact of extracapsular lymph node spread and bone engagement in the ipsilateral neck of patients suffering squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lower lip. Methods: The data of 56 neck dissections performed in patients suffering SCC of the lower lip between January 2000 and December 2008 were retrospectively analysed. Statistical analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier life table method, and the survival rate was investigated with the log rank statistic and significance test. The values were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results: Nine patients took advantage from simultaneous treatment of tumor and prophylactic neck dissection (level I–III), reaching 100% survival rate. Patients suffering metastasized disease, who received radical neck dissection at the time of tumor treatment, presented 83.3% survival rate. Patients who underwent previous surgery and radiotherapy presented worse prognosis although radical neck dissection in case of extra-capsular spread only (24.7%) and osseous engagement (22.2%). Conclusion: Prophylactic neck dissection (level I–III) is recommended in T3–T4 N0 SCC. Simultaneous treatment of tumor and cervical lymph nodes provides a better prognosis as respect to delayed nodal management. Extra-capsular spread with or without bone engagement represents independent risk factor responsible for high mortality rate of SCC of the lower lip.

A potential impact of the donning and doffing policy on emergency department length of stay during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Tommaso Bellini,Emanuela Piccotti 대한소아응급의학회 2021 대한소아응급의학회지 Vol.8 No.2

Epidemiological Features and Resistance Pattern in Uropathogens Isolated from Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis

Tommaso Cai,Sandra Mazzoli,Francesca Meacci,Vieri Boddi,Nicola Mondaini,Gianni Malossini,Riccardo Bartoletti 한국미생물학회 2011 The journal of microbiology Vol.49 No.3

Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) is, usually, caused by uropathogens, especially gram-negative bacilli,although infection is sometimes due to Gram-positive and atypical microorganisms. A recent increasing in prevalence of Gram-positive strains has been reported. The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiological features and resistance rates in uropathogens isolated from CBP outpatients in last 10 years. All consecutive outpatients with demonstrated CBP attending a single Sexually Transmitted Disease centre from January 1997 and December 2008, were enrolled and underwent microbiological cultures in first void early morning urine, midstream urine, expressed prostatic secretion, and post prostate massage urine. Prevalence of different bacterial strains was stratified in four different periods: 1997-1999, 2000-2002, 2003-2005, 2006-2008. Any changes observed in epidemiological features and resistance rates in uropathogens over the whole study period have been analyzed. The present study has been planned, thus, as in vitro study. From 6,221patients, 4,601 Gram-positive and 1,620 Gram-negative bacterial strains have been isolated. Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli strains are the first and second frequent pathogens found, respectively. Significant differences between E. faecalis prevalence in the 1997-1999 and 2006-2008 periods were found. E. coli showed a significant difference between prevalence in 1997-1999 and 2006-2008 periods. Gram-positive organisms showed a decreasing of susceptibility to ciprofloxacin as well as Gram-negative strains, while a good susceptibility to the levofloxacin was evidenced. E. faecalis prevalence seemed to be raised in 2006-2008periods. Moreover, a decreasing of activity of ciprofloxacin and a good activity profile of levofloxacin have been reported.