University of Florence

About: University of Florence is a education organization based out in Florence, Toscana, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Carbonic anhydrase. The organization has 27292 authors who have published 79599 publications receiving 2341684 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli studi di Firenze & Universita degli studi di Firenze.

Coronally Advanced Flap Procedure for Root Coverage. Is Flap Thickness a Relevant Predictor to Achieve Root Coverage? A 19-Case Series

Abstract: This clinical study was designed to determine whether the thickness of the flap can influence root coverage when gingival recessions associated with traumatic toothbrushing are treated using a coronally advanced flap (CAF). Nineteen patients, aged from 25 to 57 years, with high levels of oral hygiene (full-mouth plaque scores or =2 mm were treated. After local anesthesia and before flap elevation, the exposed root surface was planed with a sharp curet. A trapezoidal full- and partial-thickness flap was then elevated, displaced coronally, and sutured to cover the treated root surface. Before suturing, flap thickness was measured in the alveolar mucosa with a gauge. After surgery, all patients were recalled for control and professional prophylaxis once a week during the first month and monthly up to the third month. The mean initial recession depth was 3.0+/-0.9 mm. Mean flap thickness (FT) was 0.7+/-0.2 mm. Three months later, mean recession depth was 0.6+/-0.6 (P 0.8 mm was associated with 100% of root coverage. The results of this study indicate that there is a direct relation between flap thickness and recession reduction (P <0.0001).

Prospective identification of high-risk polycythemia vera patients based on JAK2 V617F allele burden

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether the burden of JAK2(V617F) allele correlated with major clinical outcomes in patients with polycythemia vera (PV). To this end, we determined JAK2 mutant allele levels in granulocytes of 173 PV patients at diagnosis. The mean (+/-s.d.) mutant allele burden was 52% (+/-29); 32 patients (18%) had greater than 75% mutant allele. The burden of JAK2(V617F) allele correlated with measurements of stimulated erythropoiesis (higher hematocrit, lower mean cell volume, serum ferritin and erythropoietin levels) and myelopoiesis (higher white cell count, neutrophil count and serum lactate dehydrogenase) and with markers of neutrophil activation (elevated leukocyte alkaline phosphatase and PRV-1 expression). As compared to those with less than 25% mutant allele, patients harboring greater than 75% JAK2(V617F) allele were at higher relative risk (RR) of presenting larger spleen (RR 4.7; P<0.001) or suffering from pruritus (RR 3.1; P<0.001). In these patients, the risk of requiring chemotherapy (RR 1.8; P=0.001) or developing major cardiovascular events (RR 7.1; P=0.003) during follow up were significantly increased. We conclude that a burden of JAK2(V617F) allele greater than 75% at diagnosis points to PV patients with high-risk disease.

Safety and Efficacy of Fedratinib in Patients With Primary or Secondary Myelofibrosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract: Importance Myelofibrosis (MF) is a BCR-ABL –negative myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by anemia, splenomegaly, debilitating constitutional symptoms, and shortened survival. Fedratinib, a JAK2-selective inhibitor, previously demonstrated clinically beneficial activity in patients with MF in early-phase trials. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fedratinib therapy in patients with primary or secondary (post–polycythemia vera or post–essential thrombocythemia) MF. Design, Setting, and Participants Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 study in 94 sites in 24 countries in which 289 adult patients (≥18 years of age) with intermediate-2 or high-risk primary MF, post–polycythemia vera MF, or post–essential thrombocythemia MF were randomly assigned between December 2011 and September 2012 to once-daily oral fedratinib, at a dose of 400 mg or 500 mg, or placebo, for at least 6 consecutive 4-week cycles. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was spleen response (≥35% reduction in spleen volume from baseline as determined by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography) at week 24 and confirmed 4 weeks later. The main secondary end point was symptom response (≥50% reduction in total symptom score, assessed using the modified Myelofibrosis Symptom Assessment Form). Results The primary end point was achieved by 35 of 96 (36% [95% CI, 27%-46%]) and 39 of 97 (40% [95% CI, 30%-50%]) patients in the fedratinib 400-mg and 500-mg groups, vs 1 of 96 (1% [95% CI, 0%-3%]) in the placebo group ( P P Conclusions and Relevance Fedratinib therapy significantly reduced splenomegaly and symptom burden in patients with MF. These benefits were accompanied by toxic effects in some patients, the most important being encephalopathy of unknown mechanism. Clinical development of fedratinib was subsequently discontinued. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov identifier:NCT01437787

Facebook and the others. Potentials and obstacles of Social Media for teaching in higher education

Abstract: Social Media tools are seen by many authors as powerful drivers of change for teaching and learning practices, in terms of openness, interactivity and sociability. However, extensive surveys about actual use that are carried out with large samples at a national level are rare. This study reports the results of a survey addressed to the Italian academic staff, with the aim of identifying the uses of Social Media in the field of university teaching practices. The response rate was 10.5%, corresponding to 6139. The respondents were asked to identify frequency of use, motivations, teaching practices and obstacles related to the use of a number of tools: generic social network sites (Twitter, Facebook), professional and academic networking services (LinkedIn, ResearchGate and Academia.edu), tools to write and comment (blogs, wikis) and to archive and retrieve content material for lectures and group work (podcasts, YouTube and Vimeo, SlideShare). Analyses of data tested which socio-demographic variables mostly affected frequency of use, and the relationships between motivations, ways of use, barriers to use and the scientific discipline. The results show that Social Media use is still rather limited and restricted and that academics are not much inclined to integrate these devices into their practices for several reasons, such as cultural resistance, pedagogical issues or institutional constraints. However, there are differences among academics in the ways they use Social Media or perceive them, mostly depending on the scientific discipline of teaching. Overall, the results emphasise ambivalent attitudes towards the benefits and challenges of Social Media in the context of higher education with obstacles prevailing over advantages. We examine the frequency of use of Social Media for teaching purposes.The variable most associated with frequency of use is scientific discipline.We present motivations and ways to use Social Media tools in teaching.A principal component analysis reveals three main factors as obstacles to use.Results show a complex scenario where potentials and barriers are intertwined.