0000000000658429
AUTHOR
S. Francesco
Long-term hepatic safety of lomitapide in homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia
Introduction: Lomitapide is a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor for patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. Due to its mechanism of action, potential hepatic effects of lomitapide are of clinical interest. This study aimed to determine the long-term hepatic safety of lomitapide. Methods: Data were aggregated from the pivotal phase 3 and extension phase clinical trial with lomitapide (median 5.1 years; serum total bilirubin, transaminases, cytokeratin-18 [CK-18] and enhanced liver fibrosis [ELF] score, fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids), 8-year data from the Lomitapide Observational Worldwide Evaluation Registry (LOWER) and real-world evidence f…
The retinoblastoma paradigm revisited
Background: Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most common primary malignant intraocular tumour in childhood. The "two hit" theory, formulated by Knudson in 1971 to explain the variegated clinical expression of the disease, led to the discovery of the so called tumour suppressor genes and the identification of the Rb1 as the prototype of such genes. Mutations of the Rb1 gene are now commonly believed to be the "cause" retinoblastoma, although epidemiological, clinical, and biological evidences argue against it. Material/Methods: The Authors have performed a systematic review of available data concerning clinical and diagnostic aspects of retinoblastoma, including molecular genetics. Meta analysis o…
Monticchio Lakes
The crater lakes are a natural hazard for the population living near them because they can generate liminic explosions, like as the disaster of Nyos lake (Cameroon 1986), in which 1476 people and thousands of animals died. Crater lakes are able to store magmatic and hydrothermal gases and solubilising them into the water. An overpressure of the dissolved gases can generate a limnic eruption. Italy is characterised by an intense volcanic and seismic activity. Evidences of this past volcanism are the numerous crater lakes in Lazio and Campania. The most famous are Bolsena lakes, Vico, Bracciano, Monticchio lakes, Mezzano, Martignano, Albano, Nemi, Averno. The Monticchio lakes (Piccolo Lake (L…