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Noninfectious uveitis represents one of the leading causes of blindness in developed Countries, compromising patients' quality of life and social functioning. The main treatment goals are the control of ocular inflammation, to avert and treat sight-threatening complications, thus preserving and/or restoring visual function.This manuscript deals with systemic therapy with biologic drugs for noninfectious uveitis. An extensive literature search in the MEDLINE database (via PubMed) has been performed up to June 2020. The major classes of biologic molecules employed in ocular inflammatory diseases have been reviewed, focusing on TNF inhibitors, IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 inhibitors, interferons, rituximab, and abatacept efficacy and safety. An overview of most recent developments in the field has been provided as well, with reference to the experience with JAK inhibitors and with biosimilar drugs.The development of the concept of targeted therapy and the subsequent introduction of biologic molecules in clinical practice have revolutionized the prognosis of uveitis. The target of a rapid and sustained steroid-free remission of ocular inflammation should be pursued for all patients early in the disease course, in order to have a better chance to improve the final visual outcome.

Objective. To analyze the potential role of colchicine monotherapy in patients with tumor necrosis factor receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) in terms of control of clinical and laboratory manifestations. Methods. Patients with TRAPS treated with colchicine monotherapy were retrospectively enrolled; demographic, clinical and therapeutic data were collected and statistically analysed after having clustered patients according to different times at disease onset, penetrance of mutations, dosage of colchicine, and different disease manifestations. Results. 24 patients (14 males; 15 with pediatric disease onset) treated with colchicine monotherapy were enrolled. Colchicine resulted in a complete response in 3 (12.5%) cases, partial response in 14 (58.3%) patients, and lack of response in 7 (29.2%) patients. There were not significant differences in colchicine response between pediatric and adult disease onset (p=0.42), between low- and high-penetrance mutations (p=0.62), and according to different dosages (p=0.66). No significant differences were identified in the frequency of specific disease manifestations between patients experiencing any response to colchicine and patients with lack of response. Conclusions. Colchicine monotherapy is useful in a low percentage of TRAPS patients; nevertheless, it could be attempted in patients with milder phenotypes and at a lower risk of developing reactive amyloidosis.

Objectives. To examine demographic and clinical characteristics and long-term visual outcome in a cohort of Italian patients affected by Behçet’s uveitis (BU). Materials and Methods. Retrospective chart review of 47 patients with BU attending our unit between January 2018 and December 2019. Ophthalmologic manifestations, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluoroangiography and optical coherence tomography findings, and ocular complications were recorded. Predictive factors of a poor visual outcome and long-term complications were also investigated. Results. Forty-seven patients (23 males and 24 females) for a total of 84 eyes were enrolled. Uveitis was bilateral in 37 (78.7%) patients with panuveitis being the most frequent anatomical pattern (40 out of 84 eyes), whereas 27 eyes presented a posterior uveitis. Isolated anterior uveitis was detected in 16 eyes. A significant improvement of median BCVA between baseline and last follow-up values was detected (p=0.042). A higher risk of poor visual prognosis was observed in patients with uveitis duration greater than 15 years (p=0.019). A significant resolution of retinal vasculitis was detected between baseline and last follow-up evaluation (p<0.0001) whereas the mean±SD macular thickness did not decrease significantly between baseline (376.00±97.45 μm) and last follow-up evaluation (338.08±55.81 μm). Forty-two eyes developed 57 complications during the disease course. Cataract was the most frequent (n=12), followed by epiretinal membranes (n=11) and cystoid macular edema (n=6). The following variables were identified as predictors of long-term complications: human leukocyte antigen- (HLA-) B51 (p=0.006), panuveitis (p=0.037), and a uveitis duration of more than 15 years (p=0.049). Conclusions. In Italian patients, BU typically arises in the third decade and predominantly manifests as a bilateral posterior uveitis or panuveitis. Its duration is associated with a poor visual prognosis. Uveitis duration, the presence of HLA-B51, and panuveitis are predictors of long-term structural complications, thus representing main drivers in the treatment decision-making.

In this cross-sectional study, adverse events after the first and second dose of BNT162b2 mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech, Comirnaty) vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 were investigated among employees of clinics in central Italy. A 42-items questionnaire was administrated to vaccine recipients. Adverse events were classified based on severity and occurrence as reported in the literature. A descriptive/univariate analysis using Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact tests was performed. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to assess risk factors. 340 individuals (61.5% females; median age 49 years) participated. Adverse events were reported by 279 (82%) and 281 (82.6%) individuals as induced by the first and second dose, respectively. Mild reactions were mainly reported (80.9% and 80.3%), followed by moderate (11.8% and 37.1%) and severe (3.8% and 4.7%). Adverse events were identical to those already described as very common (81.8% and 80.6%), although vaccine-coincidental events not cited in the literature were reported by 6% and 15.6% following each dose. Age ≤ 55 years was a risk factor for any adverse event after each injection (ORs: 2.942 and 2.818), as well as female sex for those mild (ORs: 1.856 and 2.818) and common (ORs: 3.452 and 2.145). Findings were consistent with national reports as most of the adverse events were mild and associated with female sex and young age, while investigations are needed for reactions not described elsewhere. Data are useful to support the vaccine safety profile, also because largely targeted healthcare personnel more skilled than general population in self-diagnosis of health-related issues.

Recent reports have suggested that many employees in the labour market today lack essential soft skills. Yet, the specific relevance of these skills for particular job occupations is still to explore. We investigated perceptions of skill requirements and their development potential reflected against cultural impacts, using close interviews of 64 managers at firms in different fields of industries in Italy and Finland. Managers reported that, due to heightened competitive pressure, specific soft skills, particularly Work in team and flexibility to develop, are becoming increasingly important. The study indicates that the perceived significance of soft skills seems to vary according to the working environment and occupation. Furthermore, some soft skills seem to have a higher potential for development and thus suggested to be implemented in the university curricula. The paper concludes that a country characterized by working environments conducive to the development of soft skills, must however promote research for the identification and relevance of the skills themselves.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on education, he transformation of didactics and technological methods was necessary to promote students’ self-learning and motivation, alongside teachers’ tutoring, guiding students’ academic journey. This paper aims to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on digitalization accounting in higher education and explores the students’ perception of the adapted hybrid model. The study follows a qualitative approach and rely on the final-year students of the accounting and management degree of Accounting and Business of Porto Polytechnic School. Data were collected through a questionnaire from students who experienced both distance and face-to-face education and completed the course of Management Simulation. The study highlights the digitalization of accounting teaching and the pandemic’s effect on the future of digital accounting education. In sum, the hybrid model meets the needs of this practical course and can be a model to be applied in the future. Keywords: Accountant; Digitalization Accounting Education; Digital Hybrid Pedagogy; Digital Education; Human Skills.

Background: The identification of soft skills by Higher Education (HE) students is important for curriculum design, as is to evaluate if the students&rsquo, soft skills are adapted to the needs of the socioeconomic environment. This paper presents a study conducted to determine to what extent Finnish and Italian students&rsquo, perceptions of their own soft skills differ. Methods: The cohort of the study consisted of 80 Finnish and 80 Italian HE students. Results: The results reveal that, regardless of cultural aspects, both groups share specific soft skills whilst showing significant differences in others. The observed differences in the profiles of the two countries are explained on the basis of the cultural and curricula design frameworks that are well established in Finland and Italy. Conclusions: The implications of the findings for HE teachers and researchers are presented, which may bear relevance in guiding the implementation of curriculum design in Finland, Italy and beyond.

In the contemporary global-village circumstances, multinational companies are reliant on their teams for creativity, productivity, etc. to compete with indecisive and cut-throat business surroundings. These multinationalcompanies can opt for sharing knowledge of different teams from distinct countries. They are competent in attaining, employing, and expanding this knowledge. Because of this, there are mass cultures available in most workplaces. With globalisation, many new challenges like cultural diversity management have cropped up for people and firms. Individual as well as team performance can be enhanced by knowledge sharing. In active organisations, the diverse workforce might also be a planned factor for adding to knowledgeresources. Very few researches have been carried out on the new concept,cultural intelligence (CQ).

Augmented learning as a new way to think and practice business and education, with new technologies that are innovative cause they are able to generate new behaviours. Augmented reality, virtual immersive reality and internet of (every)things are expanding our possibilities to create, design and implement business, education and training projects, that are capable to inform and teach by doing and check in the same time, live, and during practical activities.

The theme of Entrepreneurial Education has acquired more and more importance in the last years as, in the present economic situation, there is a growth of the exigency, above all among young people, to reinvent themselves and to create their own personal business. This happens in every field of the labor market, even in the fashion world. The present research has, in fact, the goal to introduce a real course on entrepreneurial education inside fashion agencies, to offer young models the basics to become entrepreneurs and make the most of their skills and attitudes, to make their way in a world which, contrary to what it seems, is not only made of beauty. The sample is represented by a group of eighty five (85) models who are part of different fashion agencies. The focus of this study is represented by the subject and his intraentrepreneurial being inside the work context.Keywords: entrepreneurship, labor market, fashion world

Telemedicine, defined by the World Health Organization as ‘integrative part of telecommunication systems in the promotion of public health’, generates different positive results: more efficiency, less costs, better patient’s quality of life. Thanks to the advances in diagnostic technologies, information technologies, remote monitoring and long-distance care, telemedicine have increased the viability of home-based care, even for patients with serious conditions. At the same time we observe the increase in the elderly population suffering from pluripatologyand chronic diseases, that causes an increasing recourse to medical and hospital care; but prolonged hospital stay can determine loss of function and psychophysical disorders. Telemedicine is 'the investigation, monitoring and management of patients and education of patients and staff using systems which allow ready access to expert advice and patient information, no matter where the patient or relevant information is located'. We are empowering in different areas new biomedical and information technology as a support to clinical practice. The goal is to make a case study and to use for future analysis. In the experimental phase 4 patients were followed on hemodialysis and 4 in peritoneal dialysis, previously evaluated for clinical, social, logistical and psychological conditions. It is estimated that today there are 50.000 patients on dialysis and about 10.000 new cases a year only in Italy. Naturally there are threats to solve because users face difficulties, in terms of interaction with robots, in their usual context of life.The right methodology needs to coordinate the entire hospital, different professionals, patients, providing tools for care givers that follow patients, training technicians, aligning data collection and communication.The project reached great results in relation to the indicators: efficiency in dialysis, compliance with health protocols, impact on patient quality of life. Telemedicine and telecardiology projects are active at the ‘Hospital at Home Service of Bari’.Key words: health, telemedicine, home-based care,hospital at home, robotics, ict.