Comparison of the Effect of Tanacethum Parthenium, 5-Hydroxy Tryptophan, and Magnesium (Aurastop) versus Magnesium Alone on Aura Phenomenon and Its Evolution.

None of the clinical trials on migraine conducted thus far have focused on the possibility to modulate the phenomenon of aura. Furthermore, whether proper management of aura results in a better control of the headache phase has been poorly investigated. In the setting of a single-center, pilot, clinical trial, we aimed at comparing the effects of Aurastop (a combination of tanacetum parthenium (150 mg extracted at 0.8% = 1.2 mg di of active parthenolide), griffonia simplicifoila (20 mg of 5-hydroxy tryptophan), and magnesium (185 mg of magnesium pidolatum)) with those of magnesium alone (2.25 grams/tablet, corresponding to 184 mg of Mg++) in the treatment of acute attacks of migraine with aura. Between June 2017 and June 2018, 50 consecutive patients (27/23 male/female; mean age, 31 [18-57] years) with at least 3 episodes of aura per year were included (t 0). Participants were instructed to keep track of the following 4 episodes of migraine with aura (t 1) and invited to assume (1) a tablet of Aurastop at the beginning of the following 2 episodes of aura and (2) a magnesium tablet alone at the occurrence of the third and fourth aura attacks. Forty-eight patients (96.0%) had >50% reduction in aura duration when treated with Aurastop vs. 7 patients (14.0%) when treated with magnesium alone (p < 0.001); 48 patients (96.0%) had >50% reduction of aura-related disability when receiving Aurastop vs. 5 patients (10.0%) when treated with magnesium alone (p < 0.001); however, patients receiving Aurastop did not need to take pain killers in 35% of aura attacks vs. 3% when assuming magnesium (p < 0.001). These results support the hypothesis that Aurastop might be effective in interfering with the phenomenon of aura and provide evidence that the clinical benefit attributable to this combination of molecules might be greater than that obtained with single compounds of proven effect on the biology of migraine.

Probing force in living cells with optical tweezers: from single-molecule mechanics to cell mechanotransduction.

The invention of optical tweezers more than three decades ago has opened new avenues in the study of the mechanical properties of biological molecules and cells. Quantitative force measurements still represent a challenging task in living cells due to the complexity of the cellular environment. Here, we review different methodologies to quantitatively measure the mechanical properties of living cells, the strength of adhesion/receptor bonds, and the active force produced during intracellular transport, cell adhesion, and migration. We discuss experimental strategies to attain proper calibration of optical tweezers and molecular resolution in living cells. Finally, we show recent studies on the transduction of mechanical stimuli into biomolecular and genetic signals that play a critical role in cell health and disease.

How to improve access to appropriate therapy and outcome of the acute ischemic stroke: a 24-month survey of a specific pre-hospital planning in Northern Italy.

Few patients with acute cerebral infarction are medicated with thrombolysis as yet. Thus, a specific plan was created in the area of Bergamo in Northern Italy to increase the number of procedures. The plan, started in 2010, consisted of: (1) subdivision of the area of Bergamo into three zones, each one served by a single Stroke-Unit (SU) licensed to thrombolysis; (2) information to population via newspapers and local broadcasting; and (3) teachings both to personnel of Emergency Medical Service and General Practitioners. Here, we have compared the results of the SU of Policlinico San Marco in the years 2008-2009 versus those in the years 2010-2011. During 2008 and 2009, SU admitted 376 acute ischemic strokes, 60 of whom (16 %) within 3 h of the event. Of those patients, 8 (2 %) were treated with thrombolysis. At 3 months of stroke, 61 patients (16 %) were alive and self-independent. During 2010 and 2011, SU admitted 401 acute ischemic strokes, 91 of whom (22 %) within 3 h of stroke. Of those patients, 23 (6 %) were treated with thrombolysis. At 3 months of stroke, 100 patients were alive and self-independent (25 %). The increases of thrombolytic procedures (p = 0.0171), of self-independent patients (p = 0.0036), and of patients arriving within 3 h of stroke (p = 0.0226) were statistically significant. In conclusion, our study shows that a specific plan increases the numbers of thrombolysis and of self-independent patients at 3 months of stroke.

[The chronic related groups (CReG) model for ensuring continuity of care for chronically ill patients: pilot experience of the planning stage in Bergamo (Italy)]. / Il modello CReG (Chronic Related Group) di presa in carico territoriale della cronicità: esperienza pilota dell'ASL di Bergamo - fase progettuale.

In 2012, testing of the Chronic Related Groups model, an innovative chronic care organisational model, was launched in the Lombardy Region (Italy). In this model, chronic care patients are cared for by healthcare providers who must identify in advance a quota of resources necessary and then ensure continuity of care to patients by providing, with the predefined quota, all outpatient services required for good clinical management of the patient's illness (e.g. outpatient consultations, therapy, home hospitalisation, prosthetics). Two hundred seven primary care physicians and 22,500 patients with chronic illnesses were enrolled to pilot test the model in Bergamo (Italy). The vast participation will allow appropriate testing of the model and identification of advantages and critical clinical and organizational issues that need to be improved. The expected results could profoundly change the current structure of primary care.