0000000000111633
AUTHOR
M. Amato
Growth curves of sorghum roots via quantile regression with P-splines
Plant roots are a major pool of total carbon in the planet and their dynamics are directly relevant to greenhouse gas balance. Composted wastes are increasingly used in agriculture for environmental and economic reasons and their role as a substitute for traditional fertilizers needs to be tested on all plant components. Here we propose a regression quantile approach based on P-splines to assess, quantify and compare the root growth patterns in two treatment groups respectively undergoing compost and traditional fertilization.
Neck liymph nodes in chronic autoimmune thyroiditis: the sonographic pattern.
Visceral Adipose function, insulin sensitivity and secretion in active acromegaly.
Visceral adiposity index is associated with significant fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Background: Metabolic factors have been associated with liver damage in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Aims To test a new marker of adipose dysfunction, the visceral adiposity index (VAI), in NAFLD patients to assess whether or not it is associated with host factors, and to investigate a potential correlation with histological findings. Methods One hundred and forty-two consecutive NAFLD patients were evaluated by liver biopsy, and clinical and metabolic measurements, including insulin resistance with the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and VAI by using waist circumference, body mass index, triglycerides and HDL. Serum levels of TNFα, IL-6, adiponectin and lep…
Real-life impact of early interferon beta therapy in relapsing multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE: Recent findings support greater efficacy of early vs. delayed interferon beta (IFNbeta) treatment in patients with a first clinical event suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early IFNbeta treatment in definite relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and to assess the optimal time to initiate IFNbeta treatment with regard to the greatest benefits on disability progression. METHODS: A cohort of 2,570 IFNbeta-treated RRMS patients was prospectively followed for up to 7 years in 15 Italian MS Centers. A Cox proportional hazards regression model adjusted for propensity score (PS) quintiles was used to assess differences between groups of patients wit…
Modificazioni di insulino-secrezione, insulino-sensibilità e funzione adiposa durante terapia con pasireotide in un gruppo di pazienti con malattia di Cushing
Background: La terapia con pasireotide (PAS) è efficace nel miglioramento del quadro clinico e biochimico dei soggetti con Malattia di Cushing (MC) da adenoma ipofisario ACTH-secernente, ma una della principali cause di interruzione della stessa è l’insorgenza di eventi avversi, tra i quali l’iperglicemia è il più frequente. Obiettivi: Valutare l’effetto della terapia con PAS su metabolismo glucidico, insulino-secrezione e sensibilità. Metodi: Abbiamo valutato in 8 pazienti con MC recidivata post-chirurgia durante un follow-up terapeutico di 12 mesi, oltre ai parametri clinici ed ormonali, l’insulino-secrezione tramite HOMAβ e area sotto la curva del C-peptide (AUC2hc-peptide) durante MMTT,…
Quality of life, depression and fatigue in mildly disabled patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis receiving subcutaneous interferon beta-1a: 3-year results from the COGIMUS (COGnitive Impairment in MUltiple Sclerosis) study
Background: The precise relationships among quality of life, depression, fatigue and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) are complex and poorly understood. Objective: To assess the effects of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a on quality of life, depression and fatigue over 3 years in the COGIMUS study, and to examine the relationship between these outcomes and baseline cognitive status. Methods: COGIMUS was an observational 3-year trial assessing cognitive function in 459 patients with relapsing–remitting MS treated with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a. Results: In total, 331 patients completed the study (168 received interferon beta-1a, 44 µg subcutaneously three times weekly, a…
Glycometabolic control in Acromegalic patients with Diabetes: a study of the effects of different treatments for GH excess and for hyperglycaemia.
Background. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is frequently observed in patients with acromegaly. Current therapies for acromegaly may impact glucose regulation, influencing insulin sensitivity and secretion. The question whether these therapies modify control and progression of diabetes once present is still open. Aim. Aim of our study is to analyse glucose control in acromegalic patients with diabetes, evaluating the relation with treatments for GH excess and for diabetes. Methods. Seventy patients with acromegaly and diabetes were studied. Duration and treatments of acromegaly and DM were recorded, together with clinical and metabolic parameters. Results. Most patients (92.8%) were treated with som…
Alterazioni del metabolismo glucidico determinate da eccesso di ormoni controregolatori: ruolo del GH
Environmental suitability model for the lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii: planning, study and monitoring the Sicilian population
The identification of suitable areas, by spatially explicit distribution models, is crucial for conservation of threatened species as the lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii. Monitoring and collecting data on lanner falcon during years has proven to be essential for better defining the areas of species environmental suitability. Recent research shows that breeding performances of this species are strongly influenced by bioclimatic factors, especially monthly temperature and rainfall, or linked to landscape morphology, such as the slope of territories. These environmental parameters combined with species productivity (number of fledged juveniles per checked pair) of geo-referenced breedi…
Changes in magnetic resonance imaging disease measures over 3 years in mildly disabled patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis receiving interferon β-1a in the COGnitive Impairment in MUltiple Sclerosis (COGIMUS) study.
Abstract Background Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has improved the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple sclerosis (MS). In clinical trials, MRI has been found to detect treatment effects with greater sensitivity than clinical measures; however, clinical and MRI outcomes tend to correlate poorly. Methods In this observational study, patients (n = 550; 18-50 years; relapsing-remitting MS [Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≤4.0]) receiving interferon (IFN) β-1a therapy (44 or 22 µg subcutaneously [sc] three times weekly [tiw]) underwent standardized MRI, neuropsychological and quality-of-life (QoL) assessments over 3 years. In this post hoc analysis, MRI outcomes and corre…
Effects of immunomodulatory treatment with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a on cognitive decline in mildly disabled patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
The objective of this study was to assess the effects of subcutaneous (sc) interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a) on cognition in mildly disabled patients with relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Patients aged 18—50 years with RRMS (McDonald criteria; Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≤4.0) were assigned IFNβ therapy at the physician’s discretion and underwent standardized magnetic resonance imaging, neurological examination and neuropsychological testing at the baseline and regular intervals for up to three years. This analysis included 459 patients who received sc IFNβ-1a (44 mcg: n = 236; 22 mcg: n = 223; three-year follow up was available for 318 patients). The hazard ratio for c…