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Objective: To report mode of delivery and immediate neonatal outcome in women infected with COVID-19.Design: Retrospective study.Setting: Twelve hospitals in northern Italy.Participants: Pregnant women with COVID-19-confirmed infection who delivered.Exposure: COVID 19 infection in pregnancy.Methods: SARS-CoV-2-infected women who were admitted and delivered from 1 to 20 March 2020 were eligible. Data were collected from the clinical records using a standardised questionnaire on maternal general characteristics, any medical or obstetric co-morbidity, course of pregnancy, clinical signs and symptoms, treatment of COVID 19 infection, mode of delivery, neonatal data and breastfeeding.Main Outcome and Measures: Data on mode of delivery and neonatal outcome.Results: In all, 42 women with COVID-19 delivered at the participating centres; 24 (57.1%, 95% CI 41.0-72.3) delivered vaginally. An elective caesarean section was performed in 18/42 (42.9%, 95% CI 27.7-59.0) cases: in eight cases the indication was unrelated to COVID-19 infection. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 19/42 (45.2%, 95% CI 29.8-61.3) cases: of these, 7/19 (36.8%, 95% CI 16.3-61.6) required oxygen support and 4/19 (21.1%, 95% CI 6.1-45.6) were admitted to a critical care unit. Two women with COVID-19 breastfed without a mask because infection was diagnosed in the postpartum period: their newborns tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 infection. In one case, a newborn had a positive test after a vaginal operative delivery.Conclusions: Although postpartum infection cannot be excluded with 100% certainty, these findings suggest that vaginal delivery is associated with a low risk of intrapartum SARS-Cov-2 transmission to the newborn.Tweetable Abstract: This study suggests that vaginal delivery may be associated with a low risk of intrapartum SARS-Cov-2 transmission to the newborn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most difficult obstacles to make biological sciences more quantitative is the lack of understanding the interplay of form and function. Each cell is full of complex-shaped objects, which moreover change their form over time. To tackle this problem, we suggest the use of geometric invariants that are able to produce precise reference points to compare a cell's different functional elements such as organelles under fixed and varying physiological conditions. In this paper, we look at the topology of an almost static sample of the plant cortical endoplasmic reticulum (ER) under close-to-normal physiological conditions using a multi-disciplinary approach combining confocal microscopy, image processing techniques, visualization, computational geometry and graph theory. Data collected from a series of optical sections taken at short, regular intervals along the optical axis are used to reconstruct the ER in three dimensions. A graph structure of the ER network is obtained after thinning the ER geometry to its essential features. The graph is the final and most abstract quantification of the ER and serves very well as a geometrical invariant, even and very importantly, in cases in which the ER sample is moving or slightly changing shape during image acquisition. Moreover, graph theoretic features, such as the number of nodes and their degrees and the number of edges and their lengths, are very robust against different kinds of small perturbations that should not change the ER function. We will also attach surface areas and volumes estimated for the plant ER network as weights to the graph, allowing an even more precise quantitative characterization of this organelle. In total, we have compared 28 different samples under similar experimental conditions. The methods used in this paper should also be applicable to the quantification of other organelles in which geometric abstraction is possible to analyse function. Finally, by the use of confocal microscopy, our techniques will be transferable to situations in which protein markers can move inside the organelle's lumen and/or on the membrane surface to test further aspects of protein distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To see whether laparoscopy provides exact staging and effective treatment of endometrial cancer patients, compared with total abdominal hysterectomy, with shorter hospital stay, prompter recovery, and better quality of life.Method: This retrospective study identified 110 patients scheduled for surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer. Fifty-five (50%) were treated by laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) and 55 (50%) by total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). All patients underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy. The majority of patients (79%) had stage I disease.Results: The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 17 for the LAVH group and 18.5 for the TAH group (p = 0.294). Compared with TAH, LAVH required a significantly longer operating time (220 vs. 175 min; p < 0.01); but shorter hospital stay (4 vs. 8.5 days; p < 0.001) and less estimated blood loss (177 cm3 vs. 285 cm3; p = 0.02). Overall, there were fewer post-operative complications in the LAVH group (6 vs. 11 cases; p < 0.001). Three TAH patients (5.4%) had recurrence of disease. No LAVH patients had recurrences and all are currently disease-free.Conclusion: These findings suggest LAVH gives correct staging of endometrial disease, like TAH, but with fewer complications and a slightly longer operating time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a retrospective study of women with ovarian malignancies. Correlation of DNA content analysis, surgical stage, residual tumor and histological grade to prognosis; Comparison of survival in diploid and aneuploid forms.

Studies the intracellular routing of ricin, a ribosome-inactivating protein, and the strategy used by castor oil plants to avoid its own suicide during ricin biosynthesis. Different isoforms of ricin; Sensitivity of ribosomes from different sources to the catalytically active A-chain action of ricin; Relationship between degradation, refolding and ribosome inactivation in mammalian and yeast cells.

Agriculture is a global issue nowadays. At the European level, it is a sector, in which we are investing many resources. In particular, the Agri-Food sector plays a central role in the policies of the European Commission and the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, as well as being the main theme of Expo 2015 that will be held in Milan, Lombardy. In the Lombardy region, the farmers represent 2% of the entire population, cultivating about 80% of the agricultural land. Increasing needs to develop a common body of knowledge shared at the regional and national level so as to make it possible to effectively monitor cropping systems, water stress and impacts of climate changes affecting more frequently the territory, are becoming more and more urgent. In this context, the project Space4Agri (S4A) intends to support the regional and local needs in terms of management of the agriculture sector, by designing and developing an information and knowledge based platform for managing geospatial and mainstream information by making it accessible over the Internet by standard communication technologies (Geo&Mainstream ICT). This platform has been designed to allow data workflows integrating i) spatial data and observations, ii) non-spatial information available from existing agronomic databases, iii) data collected in the field by farmers, agronomists and volunteers using mobile applications, iv) data collected by unmanned aerial sensors, and/or data produced by researchers as a result of applying scientific analysis on high quality remote sensing data. Foreseen results of the Space4Agri project and from other similar ongoing research activities may significantly spur the socio-economic development of Europe and create new growth opportunities for companies, public administrations, students and citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Evidence-based management of granulosa cell tumors of the ovary (GCT) has been not yet standardized: surgery, including fertility-sparing procedures for young women, has been traditionally the standard treatment; on the other hand, chemotherapy has been used for treatment of advanced and/or recurrent disease. However, very limited experience, has been selectively focused on the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IC patients. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy of first line postoperative chemotherapy in patients with stage IC treated at the Italian Centers involved in the MITO (Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian cancer) Group. Patients and methods A retrospective multi-institutional review of patients with GCT of the ovary at FIGO stage IC treated or referred to MITO centers was conducted. Surgical outcome, pathological findings and follow-up data were analysed. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to determine the predictors factors for disease free survival. Results A total of 40 patients with primary GCT of the ovary at FIGO stage IC were identified. The median follow-up period was 96 months (range 7–300). At multivariate analysis, surgical treatment outside MITO centers and incomplete surgical staging were independent poor prognostic indicators for recurrence; adjuvant chemotherapy did not retain significant predictive value for recurrence. Conclusions This study raises the question about the value of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IC GCT: a comprehensive evaluation of a larger series is urgently needed in order to characterize stage IC substages who can be spared treatment toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is advised as a treatment option for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) with peritoneal carcinomatosis. This study was designed to define the pharmacokinetics of cisplatin (CDDP) and paclitaxel (PTX) administered together during HIPEC.Methods:Thirteen women with EOC underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC, with CDDP and PTX. Blood, peritoneal perfusate and tissue samples were harvested to determine drug exposure by high-performance liquid chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization imaging mass spectrometry (IMS).Results:The mean maximum concentrations of CDDP and PTX in perfusate were, respectively, 24.8±10.4 μg ml−1 and 69.8±14.3 μg ml−1; in plasma were 1.87±0.4 μg ml−1 and 0.055±0.009 μg ml−1. The mean concentrations of CDDP and PTX in peritoneum at the end of HIPEC were 23.3±8.0 μg g−1 and 30.1±18.3 μg−1g−1, respectively. The penetration of PTX into the peritoneal wall, determined by IMS, was about 0.5 mm. Grade 3-4 surgical complications were recorded in four patients, five patients presented grade 3 and two patients presented grade 4 hematological complications.Conclusions:HIPEC with CDDP and PTX after CRS is feasible with acceptable morbidity and has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile: high drug concentrations are achieved in peritoneal tissue with low systemic exposure. Larger studies are needed to demonstrate its efficacy in patients with microscopic postsurgical residual tumours in the peritoneal cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcome of granulosa cell tumour (GCT) of the ovary in a large series of patients treated in MITO centres (Multicentre Italian Trials in Ovarian Cancer) and to define prognostic parameters for relapse and survival.Methods:A retrospective multi-institutional review of patients with GCTs of the ovary treated or referred to MITO centres was conducted. Surgical outcome, intraoperative and pathological findings and follow-up data were analysed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to determine the predictors for survival and recurrence.Results:A total of 97 patients with primary GCT of the ovary were identified. The median follow-up period was 88 months (range 6-498). Of these, 33 patients had at least one episode of disease recurrence, with a median time to recurrence of 53 months (range 9-332). Also, 47% of recurrences occurred after 5 years from initial diagnosis. At multivariate analysis, age and stage were independent poor prognostic indicators for survival; surgical treatment outside MITO centres and incomplete surgical staging retained significant predictive value for recurrence in both univariate and multivariate analyses.Conclusions:This study confirms the generally favourable prognosis of GCTs of the ovary, with 5-year overall survival approaching 97%. Nevertheless, prognosis after 20 years was significantly poorer, with 20-year survival rate of 66.8% and a global mortality of 30-35. These findings support the need for lifelong follow-up even in early-stage GCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A prospective phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of oral gimatecan in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: We investigated the effect of iodinated contrast medium concentration on increased neoplastic lesion enhancement and its direct relation to diagnostic efficacy in biphasic spiral computed tomography for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: A pilot, single-center, randomized, double-blind, crossover, comparative study was performed and included 22 participants. Each patient underwent two separate biphasic contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomographic examinations. Scans were performed with iomeprol containing 400 (iomeprol 400) or 300 (iomeprol 300) mg of iodine per milliliter (Iomeron, Bracco Imaging SpA, Milan, Italy) with a 2- to 12-day window scan; patients were given an equal total dose of 45 g of iodine at a fixed injection rate of 4 mL/s. Comparison included assessment of quantitative and qualitative parameters. Results: Lesion density and lesion-to-liver contrast increased more markedly with the higher concentration of contrast medium during the arterial phase (p = 0.0016 and 0.0005, respectively). There was no significant difference in any parameter between the two concentrations during the portal phase. Number of lesions detected during the arterial phase increased from 37 with iomeprol 300 to 42 with iomeprol 400; in the portal phase, the respective numbers were 34 and 36. Conclusion: Even though a small number of patients was examined, our study suggests that, in patients with cirrhosis, an increased concentration of iodine improves liver-to-lesion contrast and may improve the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of recurrent ovarian carcinoma is usually determined at surgical re-exploration since the main non-invasive diagnostic tests have low accuracy. It would be desirable to have a high accuracy non-invasive diagnostic procedure. With this aim, we have assessed the utility of three-step immunoscintigraphy. Thirty patients were intravenously injected with biotinylated monoclonal antibodies MOv18 and B72.3, followed by avidin-streptavidin injection and finally by 111In-biotin. Tumour recurrences were imaged 2 h post radioactivity injection. All patients underwent surgical re-exploration 3-4 days after immunoscintigraphy; the presence of tumour in the area of immunoscintigraphic uptake was evaluated in the biopsied material. Twenty-one patients studied were true-positive, five were true-negative, four were false-positive and none was false-negative. The diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 87%, 84% and 100% respectively. If these findings are confirmed in a larger number of patients, we expect immunoscintigraphy to be introduced as a cost-effective procedure in the follow-up of patients who have received surgery for ovarian carcinoma, since it promises to reliably identify patients who do not require surgical re-exploration, and guide biopsies when they are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Obstetric and neonatal outcomes after ultrasound indicated cerclage: cervical length before procedure can make a difference?," by S. Barresi and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Perinatal management of congenital transposition of the great arteries ( TGA) in the age of prenatal diagnosis," by L. Patané and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Emergency cerclage in singleton and multiple pregnancies: is it worthwhile in both?," by L. Patanè and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Fetal cardiac procedures and neonatal outcomes: one centre's experience," by S. Marcora and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the study "Pregnancy after heart transplant. The ospedali riuniti of Bergamo experience," by C. Mammana and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the study "Pregnancy After Heart Transplant. The Ospedali Riuniti of Bergamo Experience," by C. Mammana and collegues is presented.