University of Foggia

About: University of Foggia is a education organization based out in Foggia, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 2725 authors who have published 8610 publications receiving 204142 citations.

The outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus and its impact on global mental health.

Abstract: Background:The current outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus infection among humans in Wuhan (China) and its spreading around the globe is heavily impacting on the global health and mental health. Despi...

Cytoplasmic Nucleophosmin in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia with a Normal Karyotype

Abstract: Background Nucleophosmin (NPM), a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein with prominent nucleolar localization, regulates the ARF-p53 tumor-suppressor pathway. Translocations involving the NPM gene cause cytoplasmic dislocation of the NPM protein. Methods We used immunohistochemical methods to study the subcellular localization of NPM in bone marrow–biopsy specimens from 591 patients with primary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). We then correlated the presence of cytoplasmic NPM with clinical and biologic features of the disease. Results Cytoplasmic NPM was detected in 208 (35.2 percent) of the 591 specimens from patients with primary AML but not in 135 secondary AML specimens or in 980 hematopoietic or extrahematopoietic neoplasms other than AML. It was associated with a wide spectrum of morphologic subtypes of the disease, a normal karyotype, and responsiveness to induction chemotherapy, but not with recurrent genetic abnormalities. There was a high frequency of FLT3 internal tandem duplications and absen...

Searching for an Operational Definition of Frailty: A Delphi Method Based Consensus Statement. The Frailty Operative Definition-Consensus Conference Project

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding the definition of frailty for clinical uses. METHODS: A modified Delphi process was used to attempt to achieve consensus definition. Experts were selected from different fields and organized into five Focus Groups. A questionnaire was developed and sent to experts in the area of frailty. Responses and comments were analyzed using a pre-established strategy. Statements with an agreement more than or equal to 80% were accepted. RESULTS: Overall, 44% of the statements regarding the concept of frailty and 18% of the statements regarding diagnostic criteria were accepted. There was consensus on the value of screening for frailty and about the identification of six domains of frailty for inclusion in a clinical definition, but no agreement was reached concerning a specific set of clinical/laboratory biomarkers useful for diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: There is agreement on the usefulness of defining frailty in clinical settings as well as on its main dimensions. However, additional research is needed before an operative definition of frailty can be established.

Peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin for 12 vs. 24 weeks in HCV genotype 2 or 3.

Abstract: background We hypothesized that in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 or 3 in whom HCV RNA is not detectable after 4 weeks of therapy, 12 weeks of treatment is as effective as 24 weeks. methods A total of 283 patients were randomly assigned to a standard 24-week regimen of peginterferon alfa-2b at a dose of 1.0 µg per kilogram weekly plus ribavirin at a dose of 1000 mg or 1200 mg daily, on the basis of body weight. Of these, 70 patients were assigned to the 24-week regimen (standard-duration group) and 213 patients to a variable regimen (variable-duration group) of 12 or 24 weeks, depending on whether tests for HCV RNA were negative or positive at week 4. The primary end point was HCV that was not detectable by polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) assay 24 weeks after the completion of therapy. results In the standard-duration group, 45 (64 percent) patients had HCV that was not detectable by PCR assay at week 4, as compared with 133 (62 percent) in the variable-duration group (difference [the rate in the standard-duration group minus that in the variableduration group], 2 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, i11 to 15 percent). Fiftythree patients (76 percent) in the standard-duration group and 164 patients (77 percent) in the variable-duration group had a sustained virologic response (difference, i1 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, i13 to 10 percent). Fewer patients in the variableduration group receiving the 12-week regimen had adverse events and withdrew than in the group receiving the 24-week regimen (P=0.045). The rate of relapse (defined as HCV not detectable at the end of treatment but detectable at the end of follow-up) was 3.6 percent in the standard-duration group and 8.9 percent in the variable-duration group (P=0.16). Overall, the rate of sustained virologic response was 80 percent among patients with HCV genotype 2 and 66 percent among those with genotype 3 (P<0.001). conclusions A shorter course of therapy over 12 weeks with peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin is as effective as a 24-week course for patients with HCV genotype 2 or 3 who have a response to treatment at 4 weeks.

Role of phenolics in the resistance mechanisms of plants against fungal pathogens and insects.

Abstract: Plant phenolics are secondary metabolites that encompass several classes structurally diverse of natural products biogenetically arising from the shikimate-phenylpropanoids-flavonoids pathways. Plants need phenolic compounds for pigmentation, growth, reproduction, resistance to pathogens and for many other functions. Therefore, they represent adaptive characters that have been subjected to natural Correspondence/Reprint request: Prof. Vincenzo Lattanzio, Dipartimento di Scienze Agro-Ambientali, Chimica e Difesa Vegetale, Universita degli Studi di Foggia, 71100-Foggia, Italy. E-mail: v.lattanzio@unifg.it Vincenzo Lattanzio et al. 24 selection during evolution. Plants synthesize a greater array of secondary compounds than animals because they cannot rely on physical mobility to escape their predators and have therefore evolved a chemical defence against such predators. This article, after a short review of plant phenols and polyphenols as UV sunscreens, signal compounds, pigments, internal physiological regulators or chemical messengers, examines some findings in chemical ecology concerning the role of phenolics in the resistance mechanisms of plants against fungal pathogens and phytophagous insects.