Percutaneous Nephrostomy Catheter Misplacement into Inferior Vena Cava in a Patient with a Horseshoe Kidney

Background: Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) is commonly indicated for upper urinary tract drainage in case of obstruction or fistula. Only a few cases of PCN catheter misplacement into the inferior vena cava (IVC) have been published. Case Presentation: We report a case of a PCN catheter misplaced into the IVC through a fistula between the urinary tract and an ipsilateral renal vein in a patient with horseshoe kidney, after bedside urgent replacement for hemorrhage and hemorrhagic shock. Conclusion: Although a nephrostomy Foley catheter can be used for adequate urinary drainage and hemostatic purposes after percutaneous nephrolithotomy, its placement should be always verified through antegra…

Comparison of Fluoroquinolones and Other Antibiotic Prophylaxis Regimens for Preventing Complications in Patients Undergoing Transrectal Prostate Biopsy

Our study aimed to compare the incidence of infective complications after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSBx) when adopting different antimicrobial prophylaxis regimens. A multi-institutional cohort of 1150 patients who underwent TRUSBx was retrospectively analyzed. Procedures were performed between 2017 and 2019 (before and after the EMA warning about the use of fluoroquinolones for the antibiotic prophylaxis of patient candidates to TRUSBx). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of infective complications, including sepsis and/or fever. The population was stratified according to the antibiotic prophylaxis adopted: fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, prulifl…

Odds ratio estimation in the presence of complete OR quasi-complete separation in data

In presence of completely or quasi-completely separated data, the maximum likelihood estimates for the logistic regression parameters do not exist. In medical research the question is of great importance because of the need to obtain finite odds ratios. Statistical packages do not solve the estimation problem with non-overlapped dataset. We suggest to apply the hidden logistic regression model and the MEL estimator of Rousseeuw and Christmas (2003) where a unique solution is graphically obtained by the inspection of the ridge trace of regression parameters (IRT). Alternatively, we inroduce a Cross Validation (CV) based method to choose the regularization parameter. A real data-set on oral c…

Mercato del Lavoro Femminile e Contesto Familiare nelle Regioni Italiane

Measuring wage discrimination according to an expected utility approach

Following on from the seminal works by Blinder (1973) and Oaxaca (1973), many methods have been proposed to measure wage discrimination against women. Some of these methods focus on the entire distribution of the discrimination experienced by each woman, underlining a common aspect of poverty and discrimination analysis: the latter two are both based on an idea of deprivation which originates from a poverty line (in the case of poverty) and from the expected wage in the absence of discrimination (in the case of wage discrimination) (Jenkins, 1994; Del Río et al., 2011). These approaches hinge on conditional-to-individual-characteristics expected wages, lacking in any focus regarding the ent…

Evaluating the effect of organization and context on technical efficiency: a second-stage DEA analysis of Italian hospitals

Objective: the purpose of this study was to compare the technical efficiency of Italian hospitals at a regional level and to examine if differences could be explained by organisational and contextual factors. Technical efficiency was defined as the ability of the operating units evaluated to use optimal resource levels for their level of output.Methods: the effect of external factors was explored through a second stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Efficiency scores were calculated for each hospital using the DEA method (Stage I). Through Tobit regression analysis, the estimated efficiency scores were regressed against a set of organisational and contextual characteristics beyond manager…

Time to safely omit bladder cuff removal for low-risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma

La scuola nella realtà locale

Dealing with a potential bias in estimating the share of discriminated women

The Blinder-Oaxaca [1, 6] decomposition neglects any distributional issues of discrimination. Instead, Jenkins [5] has argued the importance of a distributional approach in evaluating wage discrimination, focusing on the entire distribution of discrimination experienced by each woman. In their distributional approach, Del Río et al. [3] have adapted the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) [4] poverty indices in studying wage discrimination. These discrimination indices depend on a parameter which can be interpreted as a measure of aversion to discrimination. When the aversion parameter is zero, the index measures the share of discriminated women. In this paper we will demonstrate that the naï…

Measuring sustainable economic development through a multidimensional Gini index

This paper analyses the evolution of sustainable economic development inequality in Italy as regards the efforts made by each administrative Region, as a response to the main EU policies issued by the environmental and energy sector. For this purpose a multidimensional generalization of the Gini index has been performed, taking into account two different dimensions (energy and environment), in a time frame of six years (2008-2013). The multidimensional Gini results confirm the positive effect recorded by certain EU policies in determining a reduction in the inequality levels among the Italian Regions. A counterfactual analysis further underlined the relevant role played by the energetic dim…

Divari territoriali nelle diseguaglianze di genere in Italia

Green growth: regioni italiane a confronto

La ripresa economica e l'interesse verso le problematiche ambientali sono oggetto di studio da parte di molti paesi e organismi internazionali con l'obiettivo di definire un sentiero di sviluppo incentrato su una "crescita verde" (green growth). Economia, ambiente e società sono gli elementi di un sistema che deve necessariamente utilizzare le risorse in maniera efficiente e sostenibile, in modo da garantire che la crescita e il benessere non impoveriscano il patrimonio naturale e questo possa rinnovarsi continuando a fornire nel tempo risorse e servizi ambientali. Scopo del lavoro è quello di analizzare le condizioni regionali che possono favorire una crescita sostenibile. Un'analisi delle…

Sustainable European fishery and the Friend of the Sea scheme: tools to achieve sustainable development in the fishery sector

This paper investigates the role of the Friend of the Sea (FOS) scheme as a market tool for sustainable competitive advantage. To capture this effect, we apply a theoretical framework based on the stakeholder theory (SHT) and the natural-resource-based view (NRBV) to two case studies each in Italy and Spain. Our model allows us to explain the main factors determining an effective and competitive sustainable business model in the fishery sector. The results confirm the relevant influence of market forces in acquiring FOS certification and the role of the same as a counterpart to state authority.

Role of hygienic measures against COVID-19 on infective complications after urological interventions.

Household Determinant of Health in Italy: a Gender Analysis

Interpreting the decomposition of gender earnings gap

In this paper we discuss a decomposition of the gender monthly earnings differential into three components: the first is due to differences in individual characteristics, the second is due to discrimination and the last to the differential in hours worked. The Oaxaca-Blinder hourly wage decomposition is perfectly integrated into the decomposition of the monthly earnings gap. In order to evaluate the effects of this components on the monthly earnings gap, we calculate counterfactual earnings gaps, estimating what would happen if various aspects relating to the two genders were equal (for example, educational level), and then we compare these with the empirical earnings gap. The aim of the co…

A methodology for the diagnosis of the existing situation oF the cultural industries in the cities

Un'analisi delle Differenze di Genere nel Mercato del Lavoro in Italia

IS FAMILY HEALTH DETERMINANT? A GENDER-SPECIFIC MULTILEVEL ANALYSIS IN ITALY

Background: The traditional model of the ltalian family, the married couple with children, is suffering a declining trend and many other family types are imposing. The aim of this paper is (i) to assess the role of family structure as determinant of perceived health and (ii) to investigate the existence of a geographical gradient of health. Methods: The study is based on data taken from the 2004 EU-SILC survey of Eurostat and regards people living in ltaly, aged 25 years and over. Results: Living alone or in an extended family with-out children is perceived an adverse health determinant for both sexes. Living in a traditional family with two children is protective for women health. The nort…

A distributional approach for measuring wage discrimination and occupational discrimination separately

Numerous statistical methodologies regarding the study of discrimination are based on the well-known Blinder-Oaxaca (1973) decomposition. This divides the wage differential between men and women into one part, which can be explained by differences in individual characteristics, and another part, which is interpreted as discrimination. This decomposition ignores any distributional issues in evaluating discrimination, thus permitting, undesirably, compensation between positively and negatively discriminated women. Jenkins (1994) has criticized this aspect, instead preferring a distributional approach. Del Ri­o et al. (2010), using a distributional approach, which hinges on the deprivational a…

A conservative treatment for eosinophilic cystitis

Introduction: Eosinophilic cystitis is a rare condition which causes common symptoms and may mimic other conditions. Eosinophilic cystitis has several causes such as hypereosinophilic syndrome, inflammatory diseases, neoplasia, parasites or fungal infection, IgE-related diseases, Drug Reaction and Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, or Churg-Strauss syndrome. Therefore, differential diagnosis is difficult. Case presentation: We report the case of a middle-aged man affected by eosinophilic cystitis with persistent hematuria and other peculiar symptoms that may be brought back to hypereosinophilic crisis. Conclusion: Conservative approach is preferred, avoiding radical cystec…

[Penile Flexiflate® Surgitek prosthesis explant and simultaneous three-component hydraulic Titan® Alpha 1 prosthesis implantation, with double incision technique in a patient with kidney and pancreas transplant].

Introduction and Objectives We treated a 45 years old patient, suffering from diabetes mellitus since childhood, with retinal, neurovascular and kidney complications. In 1988, for erectile dysfunction (ED) resistant to medical injective treatment, the patient underwent ligation of the dorsal vein of the penis without any result. In 1989 a Flexiflate® hydraulic prosthesis was implanted with resolution of ED. In 2005 the patient underwent simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant with a trans-laparotomic approach for end stage renal disease and diabetes mellitus. In 2009, because of the Flexiflate® Surgitek malfunction, the patient underwent explantation of the Flexiflate® prosthesis and si…

Regional consumption patterns in Italy: a Multilevel Approach

Monocyte distribution width kinetic after surgery

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Consumption Behaviour Across Regions: a Multilevel Approach.

Regional Inequalities in Consumption Patterns: A Multilevel Approach to the Case of Italy

Summary The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the disparities in the Italian regions on the demand side. In more detail, an attempt will be made to find if the consumption behaviour of Italian households is different in the regions. With this in mind, Istat's 2000 Italian Family Budget data set was analysed. The data in question, which were collected through a two-stage sample over Italy's 20 regions, contains information regarding the expenses of approximately 23,000 households. In this analysis, both households and regions are considered as units: households are nested in the regions so that the basic data structure is hierarchical. In order to take this hierarchical structure into ac…

Women, Health and Employment: a Propensity Score Analysis in Italy

A Distributional Approach for Measuring Wage Discrimination and Occupational Discrimination Separately

The well-known Blinder–Oaxaca [Blinder, J. Hum. Resour. 8(4), 436–455 (1973); Oaxaca, Int. Econ. Rev. 14(3), 693–709 (1973)] decomposition divides the wage differential between men and women into a part, which can be explained by differences in individual characteristics, and another part, which is usually interpreted as discrimination. This decomposition neglects any distributional issues in evaluating discrimination, thus permitting undesirable compensation between positively and negatively discriminated women. Jenkins [J. Econ. 61(1), 81–102 (1994)] has criticized this aspect, instead, preferring a distributional approach, where the entire distribution of experienced discrimination is ev…

L’impatto delle migrazioni sul mercato del lavoro in Italia

Preliminary Results of ERAS Protocol in a Single Surgeon Prospective Case Series

Background and Objectives: The aim was to compare the intra and postoperative outcomes between the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol versus the standard of care protocol (SCP) in patients who underwent radical cystectomy performed by a single surgeon. Materials and Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted including patients who underwent radical cystectomy from 2017 to 2020. Length of stay (LOS), incidence of ileus, early postoperative complications, and number of re-hospitalizations within 30 days were considered as primary comparative outcomes of the study. Results: Data were collected for 91 patients who underwent cystectomy, and 70 and 21 patients followed …

Family structure is health determinant: a multilevel analysis in Italy

Quality indicators for heritage interpretation centres

Crescita verde: un'analisi delle regioni italiane

La ripresa economica e l’interesse verso le problematiche ambientali sono oggetto di studio da parte di molti paesi e organismi internazionali con l’obiettivo di definire un sentiero di sviluppo incentrato su una“crescita verde” (green growth). L’economia verde (green economy) si può definire come un sistema che mira ad uno sviluppo che utilizza le risorse in maniera efficiente e sostenibile, in modo da garantire che la crescita eil benessere non impoveriscano il patrimonio naturale e questo possa rinnovarsi continuando a fornire nel tempo risorse e servizi ambientali. Nella definizione degli obiettivi di una crescita verde si evidenziano le carenze del PIL come unico indicatore di riferime…

Convergenza economica e mobilità territoriale

In questi ultimi anni è ripresa l’emigrazione dal Mezzogiorno. Secondo gli ultimi dati Svimez (2004) sarebbero 130mila le persone che, nel quinquennio 1996-2001, sono partite dalle loro regioni di residenza per cercar lavoro nelle regioni del Nord-Est o del Centro. Relativamente alla Sicilia, una indagine condotta dalla Scuola di Giornalismo di Palermo (Il Messaggero, 2004) prova a tracciare un profilo del “nuovo emigrante”: è un “pendolare” che raggiunge, prevalentemente con il pullman, le “mete ambite” (Lombardia, Emilia Romagna e Toscana, ma anche Germania, Belgio, Danimarca, Olanda) per poi far ritorno a casa dopo due o tre settimane o anche dopo due o tre mesi. I demografi parlano di “…