Catalogue Search | MBRL
Search Results Heading
Explore the vast range of titles available.
MBRLSearchResults
-
DisciplineDiscipline
-
Is Peer ReviewedIs Peer Reviewed
-
Item TypeItem Type
-
SubjectSubject
-
YearFrom:-To:
-
More FiltersMore FiltersSourceLanguage
Done
Filters
Reset
618
result(s) for
"Signori, A"
Sort by:
TMDlib2 and TMDplotter: a platform for 3D hadron structure studies
2021
A common library, TMDlib2, for Transverse-Momentum-Dependent distributions (TMDs) and unintegrated parton distributions (uPDFs) is described, which allows for easy access of commonly used TMDs and uPDFs, providing a three-dimensional (3D) picture of the partonic structure of hadrons. The tool TMDplotter allows for web-based plotting of distributions implemented in TMDlib2, together with collinear pdfs as available in LHAPDF.
Journal Article
Depressive Symptoms Correlate with Disability and Disease Course in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: An Italian Multi-Center Study Using the Beck Depression Inventory
2016
Depression occurs in about 50% of patients with multiple sclerosis. The aims of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a multicenter MS population using the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II) and to identify possible correlations between the BDI II score and demographic and clinical variables.
Data were collected in a multi-center, cross-sectional study over a period of six months in six MS centers in Italy using BDI II.
1,011 MS patients participated in the study. 676 subjects were female, with a mean age of 34 years (SD 10.8), mean EDSS of 3.3 (0-8.5) and mean disease duration of 10.3 years (range 1-50 years). 668 (%) subjects scored lower than 14 on the BDI II and 343 (33.9%) scored greater than 14 (14 cut-off score). For patients with BDI>14 multivariate analysis showed a significant difference between EDSS and disease course. BDI II scores for subjects with secondary progressive (SP) MS were significantly different from primary progressive (PP) patients (p < 0.001) but similar to relapsing-remitting (RR) patients. Considering subjects with moderate to severe depressive symptoms (BDI II score from 20-63), in relation to disease course, 11.7% (83/710) had RR MS, 40.7% (96/236) SP and 13.6% (6/44) PP.
Using the BDI II, 30% of the current sample had depressive symptoms. BDI II score correlates with disability and disease course, particularly in subjects with SP MS. The BDI II scale can be a useful tool in clinical practice to screen depressive symptoms in people with MS.
Journal Article
TMDlib and TMDplotter: library and plotting tools for transverse-momentum-dependent parton distributions
by
Krämer, M.
,
Nocera, E. R.
,
Jung, H.
in
Astronomy
,
Astrophysics and Cosmology
,
Distribution functions
2014
Transverse-momentum-dependent distributions (TMDs) are extensions of collinear parton distributions and are important in high-energy physics from both theoretical and phenomenological points of view. In this manual we introduce the library
T
M
D
l
i
b
, a tool to collect transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMD PDFs) and fragmentation functions (TMD FFs) together with an online plotting tool, TMDplotter. We provide a description of the program components and of the different physical frameworks the user can access via the available parameterisations.
Journal Article
Scoring treatment response in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis
by
Cornelisse, P
,
Rio, J
,
Tintorè, M
in
Adult
,
Biological and medical sciences
,
Brain - pathology
2013
Background:
We employed clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures in combination, to assess patient responses to interferon in multiple sclerosis.
Objective:
To optimize and validate a scoring system able to discriminate responses to interferon treatment in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Methods:
Our analysis included two large, independent datasets of RRMS patients who were treated with interferons that included 4-year follow-up data. The first dataset (“training set”) comprised of 373 RRMS patients from a randomized clinical trial of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a. The second (“validation set”) included an observational cohort of 222 RRMS patients treated with different interferons. The new scoring system, a modified version of that previously proposed by Rio et al., was first tested on the training set, then validated using the validation set. The association between disability progression and risk group, as defined by the score, was evaluated by Kaplan Meier survival curves and Cox regression, and quantified by hazard ratios (HRs).
Results:
The score (0–3) was based on the number of new T2 lesions (>5) and clinical relapses (0,1 or 2) during the first year of therapy. The risk of disability progression increased with higher scores. In the validation set, patients with score of 0 showed a 3-year progression probability of 24%, while those with a score of 1 increased to 33% (HR = 1.56; p = 0.13), and those with score greater than or equal to 2 increased to 65% (HR = 4.60; p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
We report development of a simple, quantitative and complementary tool for predicting responses in interferon-treated patients that could help clinicians make treatment decisions.
Journal Article
Prospective memory instruments for the assessment of children and adolescents: a systematic review
by
de Pereira, Ana Paula A.
,
Signori, Vanessa de A.
,
Watanabe, Tiago M.
in
Adolescents
,
Behavioral Science and Psychology
,
Biological Psychology
2024
Background
Prospective memory is the ability to engage in an intention to be performed in the future. The main objective of this study was to identify instruments that assess both time-based and event-based prospective memory in children and adolescents and that have the potential to be clinically applicable.
Method
Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO) were searched to identify existing PM measures in original articles published until 2022. Literature searches were conducted using the following terms: (prospective memor* OR memor* for intentions) AND (neuropsychological assessment) AND (test* OR instrument* OR questionnaire* OR task*) AND (psychometric properties) AND (child* OR adolescen*). Relevant studies identified in the reference lists were also included in the review.
Results
Ten instruments were identified and classified into three categories: (a) test batteries, (b) experimental procedures, and (c) questionnaires. All the instruments identified were described concerning their content and the psychometric properties available. Some of the instruments presented empirical evidence regarding validity and reliability, but no one provided normative data.
Conclusion
Besides the recent progress regarding studies publishing the development of a variety of novel measures, there are still many limitations surrounding the assessment of PM in the youth population because of the yet incipient psychometric properties presented by the majority of the PM instruments. Recommendations for a gold-standard PM instrument for assessing children and adolescents are provided.
Journal Article
Incidence, risk factors and clinical outcome of leukemia relapses with loss of the mismatched HLA after partially incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
2015
Genomic loss of the mismatched human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a recently described mechanism of leukemia immune escape and relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Here we first evaluated its incidence, risk factors and outcome in 233 consecutive transplants from partially HLA-mismatched related and unrelated donors (MMRD and MMUD, respectively). We documented 84 relapses, 23 of which with HLA loss. All the HLA loss relapses occurred after MMRD HSCT, and 20/23 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Upon MMRD HSCT, HLA loss variants accounted for 33% of the relapses (23/69), occurring later than their ‘classical’ counterparts (median: 307 vs 88 days,
P
<0.0001). Active disease at HSCT increased the risk of HLA loss (hazard ratio (HR): 10.16; confidence interval (CI): 2.65–38.92;
P
=0.001), whereas older patient ages had a protective role (HR: 0.16; CI: 0.05–0.46;
P
=0.001). A weaker association with HLA loss was observed for graft T-cell dose and occurrence of chronic graft-versus-host disease. Outcome after ‘classical’ and HLA loss relapses was similarly poor, and second transplantation from a different donor appeared to provide a slight advantage for survival. In conclusion, HLA loss is a frequent mechanism of evasion from T-cell alloreactivity and relapse in patients with myeloid malignancies transplanted from MMRDs, warranting routine screening in this transplantation setting.
Journal Article
An engineered glove to follow finger function in rheumatoid arthritis: an observational prospective study
2024
The engineered Hand Test System (HTS) glove has shown high reliability in assessing the baseline functional status of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) hand. Starting from this achievement, the aim of the present observational prospective study was to assess the functionality of the single fingers of rheumatoid hand at follow-up. Eighty RA patients performed HTS glove tests at baseline and among these fifty-six patients were re-tested after 7 months. The HTS glove parameters [Touch Duration (TD), Movement Rate (MR), Inter Tapping Interval (ITI)] were correlated with disease activity and disability clinimetric indexes [Disease Activity Score 28 joint count—C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), Health Assessment Questionnaire—Disability Index (HAQ-DI), grip strength, visual analogue scale of pain (VAS), patient global assessment (PGA)], and with laboratory values. HTS glove parameters (TD, ITI, and MR) showed statistically significant correlations with clinimetric and clinical indexes at both time points (p < 0.05). During follow-up, a statistically significant variation of all HTS glove parameters for the fingers that have performed both the worst or best HTS test at baseline was detected (p < 0.05), while the mean HTS glove parameter values by considering all fingers did not show a statistically significant variation over time, as well as the traditional clinimetric indexes. Besides the objective role in assessing the RA hand function by integrating the traditional clinimetric indexes, the HTS glove seems a useful tool for evaluating worst or best finger function during time by measuring the movement speed.
Journal Article
THU0343 Visual Feedback of Bilateral Bite Force Coordination to Assess Motor Control of the Mandible
2014
Background The muscle impairment in Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)1, frequently observed in patients with different rheumatic diseases, contribute to diminished recruitment and force tuning ability. The quantitative assessment of the motor function is capital in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of TMDs. In this study, we propose an intuitive visual feedback of the bite force that promote the coordination and control of jaw muscles. Objectives Validity and reliability evaluation of a visual feedback system for masticatory muscle assessment Methods The force signals, measured by two customized force transducers positioned between the first molars teeth, became the spatial coordinates of a cursor which moved on a PC monitor according to the subject's bite force on the right (axis x) and left sensors (axis y). The subject's force during a maximal monolateral left (Lx, Ly), monolateral right (Rx, Ry) and bilateral (BILx, BILy) clenching outlined the boundaries of the Working Area (WA) (Figure 1). During a trial, the task required was to match the position of the 23 targets randomly displayed within the WA, each target being displayed for 5 s and alternated with 5 s of rest. Each subject performed two sessions of three trials in two consecutive days. Matching errors were measured by Mean Distance (MD), calculated as the mean cursor-target distance, and Offset Error (OE), calculated as the distance between the mean cursor position and the target. For the reliability analysis of MD and OE, we considered the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), and the Limits of Agreement (LOA). The validity of both indices was investigated with a linear regression analysis. A 2-way repeated measures ANOVA with SESSION (2 levels) and TRIAL (3 levels) as factors was done to control for any learning effect. Results The 13 subjects included showed a wide range of WAs, geometrically representing functional aspects like maximal force, and left/right independence in force generation. MD showed a more acceptable reliability (ICC =0.78, 95%CI 0.43-0.93;SEM =26%;LOA = -29%, 23%) instead of OE (ICC=0.66, 95%CI 0.20–0.88; SEM=37%; LOA = -31%, 42%). The correlation between MD and OE was high (r=0.96, p<0.001). The 2-way ANOVA detected a significant decrease for MD (p=0.004) and OE (p=0.012) between the two sessions. Figure 1. The working area of a representative subject with a matched target. Conclusions This visual feedback system provided a valid and reliable representation of the mandibular motor function to be extended in the evaluation of patients suffering from rheumatic diseases. The use of error indices (MD, OE) may characterize the individual performance during force control tasks of jaw elevator muscles in health and disease. This technique may also provide specific rehabilitation programs for TMDs because the subject's improvement during the second session was most likely attributable to a learning effect. References Manfredini D, Guarda-Nardini L, Winocur E, et al., Research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review of axis I epidemiologic findings. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2011;112:453. Disclosure of Interest : None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.2332
Journal Article
FRI0588-HPR Validation of the Italian Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire: Construct Validity, Responsiveness and Interpretability
2014
Background Neck pain is a musculoskeletal disorder causing high societal and economic costs. The comparison of different treatment strategies across several countries using validated outcome measure is vital in the field of neck pain research. As the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire (NBQ) holds validated versions with acceptable psychometric properties in several languages, we studied the psychometric properties of the questionnaire in the italian population. Objectives Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Italian NBQ (NBQ-I). Methods The forward and back translations of the questionnaire produced the pre-final version, which was adopted as the italian version of the questionnaire (NBQ-I) after preliminary testing on the target population and final approval by an expert committee. The questionnaire was administered in two times, being respectively the beginning and the end of a physiotherapy treatment delivered to the patients with neck pain attending the rehabilitation unit of Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure, IT). The construct validity and responsiveness were computed by means of hypotheses testing regarding the absolute magnitude of correlations of, respectively, the test scores and change score of the NBQ-I using the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS), the Numerical Rating Scale for pain intensity (PAIN-NRS), the EuroQoL 5 Dimension Index (EQ5D-IND) and its Numerical Rating Scale for quality of life (EQ5D-NRS) as comparators. The mean change score between the two administrations, the Minimal Clinical Important Difference (MCID) and the floor and ceiling effects were the values used to describe the interpretability. Results The NBQ had acceptable psychometric characteristics (Table 1). 96 subjects with chronic neck pain completed the questionnaire's administration. The results of the hypotheses testing process revealed a moderate-to-high construct validity and a poor responsiveness of the NBQ-I. The change score had mean 9.4 (SD =13.3) and MCID 5.5 points. Floor and ceiling effects were not observed. Conclusions The NBQ-I was successfully validated in a sample of subjects with chronic neck pain. The good construct validity was further supported because the correlations of the test scores with the comparator instruments reflected those observed in different languages. Although the responsiveness was poor, the change score to detect a clinical improvement in the subjects was minimal and resembled those observed in similar populations.1 A limit of this study was the absence of the reliability analysis. References Gay RE, Madson TJ, Cieslak KR. Comparison of the neck disability index and the neck bournemouth questionnaire in a sample of patients with chronic uncomplicated neck pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2007;30:259-262. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.2339
Journal Article