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Aims: The role of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) in alcohol dependence (AD) is still unclear. In this paper, we have evaluated the association of the SLC6A4 gene polymorphisms 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 in AD and assessed the polymorphic patterns both in alcoholics and in healthy people of an Italian population., Methods: Genotyping of the 5-HTTLPR (L/S) and rs25531 (A/G) polymorphisms of the SLC6A4 gene was performed on 403 alcoholics outpatients and 427 blood donors., Results: Comparing AD and control populations and taking into account statistical correction for multiple testing, we found no statistically significant differences for 5-HTTLPR (L/S) and rs25531 polymorphisms in terms of either genotypes or alleles frequencies. By univariate ANOVA, a statistically significant difference was found in the onset of AD: the mean age of onset resulted to be of 25.4 years in males in respect to 28.1 in females. In particular in males, the early AD onset was different, in a statistically significant manner, depending on the presence of at least one S or Lg allele (24.6 years) in respect to La homozygotes (27.5 years) (P = 0.03)., Conclusions: These findings suggest that genetic factors contribute, together with gender and age, to the onset differences in alcohol-dependent phenotypes., (© The Author 2015. Medical Council on Alcohol and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.)

Objective: There is increasing evidence suggesting that neuroinflammation and microglia activation may play important roles in the pathway leading to neuronal cell death in Parkinson's disease (PD). Chronic activation of microglia may cause neuronal damage through the release of potentially cytotoxic molecules, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines. Different functional promoter polymorphisms within genes coding pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines involved in the immune reactions in the brain might influence the risk of developing PD or the age of disease onset., Aim: To investigate the interleukin (IL)-1β-511, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-308, and interleukin (IL)-10-1082 gene polymorphisms as susceptibility factors for PD., Methods: We analyzed genotype and allele distributions of these polymorphisms in 146 Italian patients with PD and 156 healthy controls., Results: None of the polymorphisms we investigated was found to be associated with PD or with age of disease onset. No significant differences between patients with PD and controls were found as regards the concomitant presence of variant alleles in the three polymorphisms studied. We found that only the combined genotype TNF-α-308GG/IL-1β-511T+ is associated with a decreased risk of PD., Conclusion: Our results indicate that the cytokine gene polymorphisms we investigated are not related to the development of PD in the Italian population; further studies are warranted to clarify the role of the TNF-α-308GG/IL-1β-511T+ combined genotype., (© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate reliability of self-reported information on skin cancer among individuals aged > 65 years with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)., Methods: A test-retest was performed with patients completing two questionnaires one month apart., Results: Among 102 recruited patients the response rate was 97.1% (mean age 80.9 years, 74.8% men). The majority of items showed substantial agreement: history of skin cancer screening (k = 0.88), past skin cancer in general (k = 0.92), basal cell carcinoma (k = 0.75), patient delay (k = 0.64) and total delay (k = 0.86). Agreement was high also for ages > 80 years. Recall of past SCCs (k = 0.48) and sunscreen use (k = 0.38) was less accurate., Conclusions: Our study provided evidence on the reliability of patient reported skin cancer information among elderly individuals, who represent the majority of affected cases., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Advanced squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the skin can cause significant tissue destruction and may metastasize. Understanding the determinants of patient delay could help prevent advanced presentation. The purpose of the present study was to examine patient- and healthcare-related factors associated with delay before the detection and treatment of SCC. A sample of 308 patients with SCC treated at a dermatological referral centre in Italy were interviewed. Clinical data were obtained from the medical records. The highest quartile patients reported > 9 months delay between noticing the lesion and the first medical visit (defined as long patient delay). Multivariate analysis showed that SCC arising on pre-existing chronic lesions were associated with long patient delay (odds ratio = 3.17; 95% confidence interval 1.1-9.3). Controlling for confounders, the first physician's advice to remove the lesion immediately was associated with a shorter treatment delay (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our work emphasizes the importance of seeing a doctor about any change in a pre-existing lesion, particularly in light of the fact that SCC on chronic lesions are at greater risk of metastasis and recurrence.

Aims: To evaluate skin cancer knowledge and preventive behaviors of patients recently treated for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to examine the factors associated with the adoption of preventive behaviors., Methods: Telephone survey on 315 SCC patients treated at a large dermatological hospital in Italy, evaluating skin cancer knowledge, sun protection and skin examination practices as well as medical recommendations received after SCC removal., Results: Skin cancer knowledge was fair/low for 48.9% of the participants. Doctors were the main source of skin cancer information for 24.4% of the patients. Of the patients assessed >or=12 months after SCC removal, 32.7% reported a total skin examination after removal. Of the participants, 41.6% never/rarely used sunscreens. In a multivariate analysis, the likelihood of having complete skin examinations was associated with a doctor's advice to have an examination (odds ratio, OR = 2.29; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.2-4.4), a higher knowledge level (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.1-3.8) and past skin examinations (OR = 3.62; 95% CI = 1.9-7.0). Doctor's recommendations increased the likelihood of adopting preventive behaviors., Conclusions: We found substantial knowledge gaps and limited adoption of skin cancer prevention, highlighting the need for interventions promoting knowledge and preventive behaviors, particularly among higher-risk patients., (Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.)