Search

Modelling approaches play a crucial role in supporting local public health agencies by estimating and forecasting vector abundance and seasonality. However, the reliability of these models is contingent on the availability of standardized, high-quality data. Addressing this need, our study focuses on collecting and harmonizing egg count observations of the mosquito Aedes albopictus, obtained through ovitraps in monitoring and surveillance efforts across Albania, France, Italy, and Switzerland from 2010 to 2022. We processed the raw observations to obtain a continuous time series of ovitraps observations allowing for an extensive geographical and temporal coverage of Ae. albopictus population dynamics. The resulting post-processed observations are stored in the open-access database VectAbundance.This initiative addresses the critical need for accessible, high-quality data, enhancing the reliability of modelling efforts and bolstering public health preparedness., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: During the last 20 years, relevant diagnostic procedures and advanced treatments have been progressively introduced in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the present study was to assess up-to-date survival trends for HCC in southern Switzerland, a region with one of the highest incidence rates in the country., Methods: HCCs diagnosed in 1996-2009 were selected by the Ticino Cancer Registry. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method by calendar period: 1996-2000, 2001-2005 and 2006-2009. The log-rank test was used to detect differences in survival curves. Simultaneous assessment of prognostic factors was performed by a multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional-hazards regression model., Results: 619 HCCs were analysed. There was a significant increase of patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE), whereas patients undergoing curative or palliative supportive treatments remained unchanged (p < 0.0001). No shift to earlier stages was detected. Significant differences in CCS were observed by age-group (p < 0.0001), diagnosis period (p < 0.0001), diagnosis technique (p = 0.0035), Barcelona-Clinic liver cancer stage (p < 0.0001), treatment (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis confirmed the independent impact on CSS of factors above mentioned, not including the diagnosis technique. Death risk was higher for patients diagnosed in 1996-2000 (HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.03; 1.68) and 2001-2005 (HR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.05; 1.67) in comparison with 2006-2009 (reference group)., Conclusions: The current population-based report describes a major increase in HCC survival. Simultaneously an increased use of TACE has been detected, probable cofactor of the observed survival increase. Possibly additional efforts could be made to decrease the HCC stage at diagnosis through active surveillance of cirrhotic patients to allow an increase in curative treatments. For sure efforts should be made to comply with a standardised staging system for HCC, particularly for comparative population-based issues., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

High-dose therapy with bone marrow (BM) or blood stem cell (BSC) support is a high-technology technique usually administered in specialized tertiary centers. The use of BSC has made this technique simpler and accessible also to smaller hospitals. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with lymphoma, leukemia and other tumors who received high-dose therapy and BM or BSC transplantation in our district hospital, looking at the type of procedure performed, complications, use of growth factors, and progression-free and overall survival. A total of 40 patients were transplanted over 6 years. No procedure-related deaths and no permanent organ toxicities were seen. The use of BSC brought about a great reduction in the duration of hospital stay, septic complications and transfusion of blood components. For patients with lymphoma (n = 20) the probabilities of progression-free survival and of overall survival at 2 years are 48% (95% C.I. 28-68%) and 68% (95% C.I. 46-84%), respectively. Based on these data, we believe that ABMT and BSC transplantation are feasible and safe in a peripheral hospital when the appropriate human and technical conditions are present. Treatment outcome is then comparable to that of specialized centers.