Oncological Adequacy of Laparoscopic Surgery for Bulky Gastric Cancer: Results of a Western Single-Center Series.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is increasing worldwide and one million new cases were estimated globally in 2020. Use of the laparoscopic approach is increasing especially for subtotal gastrectomy. However, to date, solid data on locally advanced bulky tumors are lacking. The aim of this study is to assess the role of laparoscopic surgery in bulky gastric tumors. METHODS: We performed an observational retrospective single-center analysis. The following data were collected and analyzed for each patient: demographics, tumor-related data, intra-operative data, peri-operative data, and pathological data. Statistical analysis was conducted, including descriptive statistics and chi-squared test, to analyze the differences between categorical variables. RESULTS: O the 116 patients who underwent gastric surgery, 49 patients were included in the study protocol. All patients had bulky gastric tumors. Eighteen patients underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy and 31 open gastrectomy. The median number of lymph nodes removed was 28.5 (15-46) in the laparoscopic group and 23.05 (6-62) in the open group (p = 0.04). In total, 5.6% of patients of the laparoscopic group had <16 lymph nodes harvested and 35.5% in the open group (p = 0.035). No statistical differences were found between the open and laparoscopic groups in terms of surgical margins (p = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery is still a subject of debate in locally advanced bulky gastric cancer. Limited data are available concerning Western patients. This study showed superiority in terms of the quality of lymphadenectomy and non-inferiority in terms of radical resection margins.

The ReadFree tool for the identification of poor readers: a validation study based on a machine learning approach in monolingual and minority-language children.

In this study, we validated the "ReadFree tool", a computerised battery of 12 visual and auditory tasks developed to identify poor readers also in minority-language children (MLC). We tested the task-specific discriminant power on 142 Italian-monolingual participants (8-13 years old) divided into monolingual poor readers (N = 37) and good readers (N = 105) according to standardised Italian reading tests. The performances at the discriminant tasks of the "ReadFree tool" were entered into a classification and regression tree (CART) model to identify monolingual poor and good readers. The set of classification rules extracted from the CART model were applied to the MLC's performance and the ensuing classification was compared to the one based on standardised Italian reading tests. According to the CART model, auditory go-no/go (regular), RAN and Entrainment100bpm were the most discriminant tasks. When compared with the clinical classification, the CART model accuracy was 86% for the monolinguals and 76% for the MLC. Executive functions and timing skills turned out to have a relevant role in reading. Results of the CART model on MLC support the idea that ad hoc standardised tasks that go beyond reading are needed.

A Neuropsychological Profile of Developmental Dyscalculia: The Role of Comorbidity.

Developmental dyscalculia (DD) has long been thought to be determined by multiple components. Dyscalculia has high comorbidity with other learning and developmental disabilities, including reading and writing disorders, attention deficits, and problems in visual/spatial skills, short memory, and working memory. This study aims to assess prevalence rates for isolated as well as comorbid DD in a sample of Italian-speaking children. In addition, we studied the neuropsychological profile of children with isolated or combined dyscalculia. We tested 380 children (176 males and 204 females) between the ages of 8.17 and 9.33 years using an extensive battery to determine the neuropsychological profile. The assessment included an arithmetic battery and nonverbal intelligence, short-term memory, reading, and writing tests. The results indicated that children with DD more frequently have a reading disorder and writing disorder. They also have a lower nonverbal intelligence quotient (IQ) and obtain significantly lower scores in short-term memory tests and on a visuospatial skills questionnaire. They also had significantly higher scores (indicative of greater attentional difficulties) on the Conners subscale for attentional problems. Children with DD present different cognitive and neuropsychological profiles.

Canine circovirus and Canine adenovirus type 1 and 2 in dogs with parvoviral enteritis.

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is one of the most relevant pathogens associated with enteritis in dogs and is frequently reported in association with the detection of other pathogens in faeces. In this study the concomitant presence of Canine circovirus (CanineCV) and Canine adenovirus (CAdV) DNA in faecal or intestine samples of 95 dogs with parvovirus enteritis sampled in Italy (1995-2017) was investigated and the viruses identified were genetically characterised. Potential correlations with the antigenic variant of CPV-2 and with signalment data and outcome were evaluated. Twenty-eight of 95 (29.5%) CPV-2 infected dogs tested positive to other viruses: 7/28 were also positive to CanineCV, 1/28 to CAdV-1, 18/28 to CAdV-2, 1/28 to CanineCV and CAdV-2, and 1/28 to CAdV-1 and CAdV-2. The frequency of CAdV DNA detection and coinfections was significantly higher in purebred dogs compared to mixed breed ones (P = 0.002 and 0.009, respectively). The presence of coinfection was not associated with any other relevant data available, including CPV-2 variant and final outcome. The detection of CanineCV in a dog sampled in 2009 allowed to backdating its circulation in dogs. The eight CanineCV completely sequenced were phylogenetically related to the CanineCV identified in dogs, wolves and a badger from Europe, USA, Argentina and China. Nine CAdV were partially sequenced and phylogenetic analysis showed a separate branch for the oldest CAdV-2 identified (1995). From the results obtained in this study population, CanineCV and CAdV coinfections in dogs with parvoviral enteritis did not result in more severe disease.

Contribution to the knowledge of the arthropods community inhabiting the winter-flooded meadows (marcite) of northern Italy.

BACKGROUND: Flooded semi-natural grasslands are endangered ecosystems throughout Europe. In Italy, amongst flooded meadows, one special type called "marcita" is strongly threatened. It is a stable flooded grassland used to produce green forage even during winter months due to the thermal properties of water coming from springs and fountains that prevent the soil from freezing. To date, some research has been carried out to investigate the role of the marcita for ornithological and herpetological communities. However, no comprehensive data on invertebrates inhabiting this particular biotope available. The aim of this study was to characterise the terrestrial entomological community of these typical winter-flooded meadows in northern Italy and, in particular, in six marcita fields located in the Ticino Valley Regional Park. We collected data on species richness and diversity of Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Araneae, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera inhabiting marcita during the summers of 2014 and 2015 and data on overwintering Coleoptera during the winter of 2014-2015. Amongst the collected species, we identified those highly linked to this habitat. NEW INFORMATION: We found a total of 47 ground beetle species, 35 rove beetle species, 29 spider species, one Lucanidae, 16 butterfly species and 24 grasshopper and cricket species. Most of the species were collected during the summers of 2014 and 2015, while some others were also, or exclusively, overwintering (17 ground beetles, four rove beetles and one Lucanidae) and were collected during the winter of 2014-2015.Marcita fields hosted specialised species and species typical of hygrophilous habitats, amongst which are included the butterfly Lycaena dispar, the ground beetle Dolichus halensis and the grasshopper Chrysochraon dispar. This study represents the first contribution to the knowledge of terrestrial arthropod communities associated with this particular type of winter-irrigated meadow in Europe and confirms the importance of this biotope for invertebrate conservation in agricultural landscapes.

Mathematical skills and working memory profile of children with borderline intellectual functioning.

Borderline intellectual functioning is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by an intelligence quotient (IQ) in the range of 70-85. The present study aimed to investigate the mathematical abilities and the working memory of students with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF). The sample group included 10 year-old students with BIF (n = 85) and with average non-verbal IQ (n = 45). The children were assessed in non-verbal intelligence, numerical ability and working memory. Our results showed an impairment of mathematical skills, especially in the operation tasks, and working memory in children with BIF, compared to typically developing peers. Generally, their skills seemed to be consistent with intelligence scores (WOND and AWMA scores ≥ 70). In some cases, children with BIF could have mathematical difficulties (WOND < 70). In general, they showed visuospatial short-term memory and central executive subsystem more damaged than non-verbal intelligence while the verbal short-term memory was similar to the IQ.

Neuropsychological profile in new-onset benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS): Focusing on executive functions.

PURPOSE: Increased evidence of subnormal neuropsychological functioning in new-onset childhood epilepsy has been obtained, although results are still rare and controversial. With a prospective study, we aimed to define the very early neuropsychological profile of children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), including executive functions (EF) because of their key role in learning. Additionally, we enrolled drug-naïve children, with a NREM sleep frequency of discharges <85% and with a Performance Intelligence Quotient equal or superior to 85, in order to exclude additional effects on the neuropsychological functioning. METHODS: Fifteen school-aged children with BECTS (mean age: 8.8years, standard deviation [SD]: 2.4years) and fifteen healthy children (mean age: 9.2years, [SD]: 2.5years) were enrolled and assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. The assessment included domain-specific standardized tests of language, EF, academic skills, visuomotor and visuospatial skills, and short-term memory. A p-value<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Significant differences between patients and controls emerged with respect to 3 domains. Language was affected in color naming (p=.026), spoonerism (p=.003), and phonemic synthesis (p=.009). Executive functions appeared inadequate in the five point test with respect to the number of correct figures (p=.003) and errors (p=.008). In the domain of academic skills, significant differences between groups emerged regarding the number of mistakes in nonword writing (p=.001), nonword reading speed (p=.027), nonword reading number of mistakes (p=.019), and word reading errors (p=.023). DISCUSSION: Results showed that children with new-onset BECTS may demonstrate a range of neuropsychological dysfunctions, particularly affecting executive attention, despite a normal IQ, a low frequency of NREM sleep discharges, and the absence of drugs. These difficulties indicate a frontal dysfunction with cascading effects on language and academic skills. The inclusion of EF in the assessment battery and in the intervention since the very onset is warranted in order to avoid further and persistent academic difficulties.

Saproxylic beetles of the Po plain woodlands, Italy.

Forest ecosystems play an important role for the conservation of biodiversity, and for the protection of ecological processes. The Po plain woodlands which once covered the whole Plain, today are reduced in isolated highly threatened remnants by modern intensive agriculture. These close to natural floodplain forests are one of the most scarce and endangered ecosystems in Europe. Saproxylic species represent a major part of biodiversity of woodlands. The saproxylic insects are considered one of the most reliable bio-indicators of high-quality mature woodlands and have a very important role in regard to the protection and monitoring of forest biodiversity due to their highly specific living environments. As a result of the dramatic reduction of mature forests and the decreased availability of deadwood most of the saproxylic communities are greatly diminishing. The study was conducted in the Ticino Valley Regional Park and the aim is to contribute to the expansion of knowledge on the saproxylic beetles of Lombardy. We investigated 6 sampling sites belonging to alluvial and riparian mixed forests. For each forest we selected 12 trees. For beetles' collection we used two different traps: Eclector Traps and Trunk Window Traps (total of 72 traps and 864 samples collected). We determined 4.387 beetles from 87 saproxylic species belonging to 21 families. Of these species 51 were not included in the previous checklist of the Park. By comparing the two different techniques used for catching saproxylic beetles, we found a significantly high difference in species richness between Window Traps (WT) and Eclector Traps (ET) with a higher number of species captured in the Window Traps. However, the combined use of two different types of traps significantly expanded the spectrum of insects captured Among the species reported as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List, we found interesting species such as the ElateridaeCalambusbipustulats, the EucnemidaeMelasisbuprestoides and the following species never previously found in the Park: CerambycidaeXylotrechusrusticus, the CetoniidaeValgushemipterus, the ElateridaeLaconpunctatus, the MycetophagidaeMycetophaguspiceus, Litargusconnexus. Although we didn't find species listed in the Annexes of the EU Habitat Directive, some of the species found are locally threatened because of their rarity, local distribution, and strong linkage to old forests. Among these species there are the BothrideridaeBothrideresbipunctatus, the CerambycidaePrionuscoriarius and Xylotrechusrusticus, the DryophthoridaeDryophthoruscorticalis, the EucnemidaeNematodesfilum (with only 1 individual captured in Alnus unmanged forest), the HisteridaeAeletesatomarius and Paromalusflavicornis, the LaemophloeidaeCryptolestesduplicatus, the LatridiidaeEnicmusrugosus and Latridiushirtus, the MycetophagidaeMycetophaguspiceus, and the ZopheridaeColydiumelongatum and Pycnomerusterebrans.