University of Siena

About: University of Siena is a education organization based out in Siena, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 12179 authors who have published 33334 publications receiving 1008287 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli studi di Siena & Universita degli studi di Siena.

Inhaled PGE2 prevents aspirin-induced bronchoconstriction and urinary LTE4 excretion in aspirin-sensitive asthma.

Abstract: Bronchial overproduction of leukotrienes and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis are involved in the pathogenesis of aspirin-induced asthma. We investigated whether inhaled prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) attenuates the response to bronchial challenge with lysine acetylsalicylate (LASA) and the associated increase in urinary leukotriene E4 (u-LTE4) in seven aspirin-sensitive subjects with asthma. Each subject performed two challenges with a single dose of LASA that caused a decrease in FEV1 of 20% or more in a preliminary test, immediately after inhaling 100 micrograms PGE2 in 4 ml saline or placebo, according to a randomized double-blind protocol. FEV1 was recorded at 30-min intervals for 4 h. u-LTE4 was measured by combined high-performance liquid chromatography enzyme immunoassay at 2-h intervals. After placebo, LASA caused an obstructive reaction in all patients, with a maximum decrease in FEV1 of 35 +/- 5% with respect to baseline. u-LTE4 rose from 911 +/- 261 picograms (pg)/mg creatinine at baseline to a ...

Classification criteria for autoinflammatory recurrent fevers

Abstract: Background Different diagnostic and classification criteria are available for hereditary recurrent fevers (HRF)—familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic fever syndrome (TRAPS), mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) and cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS)—and for the non-hereditary, periodic fever, aphthosis, pharyngitis and adenitis (PFAPA). We aimed to develop and validate new evidence-based classification criteria for HRF/PFAPA. Methods Step 1: selection of clinical, laboratory and genetic candidate variables; step 2: classification of 360 random patients from the Eurofever Registry by a panel of 25 clinicians and 8 geneticists blinded to patients’ diagnosis (consensus ≥80%); step 3: statistical analysis for the selection of the best candidate classification criteria; step 4: nominal group technique consensus conference with 33 panellists for the discussion and selection of the final classification criteria; step 5: cross-sectional validation of the novel criteria. Results The panellists achieved consensus to classify 281 of 360 (78%) patients (32 CAPS, 36 FMF, 56 MKD, 37 PFAPA, 39 TRAPS, 81 undefined recurrent fever). Consensus was reached for two sets of criteria for each HRF, one including genetic and clinical variables, the other with clinical variables only, plus new criteria for PFAPA. The four HRF criteria demonstrated sensitivity of 0.94–1 and specificity of 0.95–1; for PFAPA, criteria sensitivity and specificity were 0.97 and 0.93, respectively. Validation of these criteria in an independent data set of 1018 patients shows a high accuracy (from 0.81 to 0.98). Conclusion Eurofever proposes a novel set of validated classification criteria for HRF and PFAPA with high sensitivity and specificity.

Periodontal Regeneration of Human Infrabony Defects. I. Clinical Measures

Abstract: A series of investigations was undertaken to evaluate the extent and predictability of periodontal regeneration with barrier membranes in deep infrabony defects. This study reports the clinical outcomes in terms of probing attachment level (PAL) gains, probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction, and recession (REC) of marginal gingiva. Forty deep 1, 2, and 3-wall combination infrabony defects treated with membranes were evaluated 1 year postoperatively following a strict plaque control regimen (mean plaque score = 6.1%, bleeding score = 4% at 1 year). A PAL gain of 6.1 +/- 2.5 mm along with a PPD reduction of 5.9 +/- 2.5 mm were observed. A PAL gain of 2 mm or more was detected in almost 90% of the treated sites. No site lost attachment. Residual PPD was 3 mm or shallower in 95% of the sites. It is concluded that treatment of deep infrabony defects according to the principles of guided tissue regeneration and a strict plaque control regimen represents an efficacious and predictable treatment alternative.

Prevalence of sleep disturbances in mild cognitive impairment and dementing disorders: a multicenter Italian clinical cross-sectional study on 431 patients.

Abstract: Background/Aims: Sleep disturbances are common in the elderly and in persons with cognitive decline The aim of this study was to describe frequency and characteristics of insomnia,