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Carotenoid intake from natural sources has been hypothesized to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to systematically review the epidemiological evidence for the association between carotenoid intake from natural sources and CRC development. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies to investigate whether the intake of specific carotenoids from natural sources, as well as combined carotenoids, is associated with the risk of CRC overall and by anatomic subsite. A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE and Scopus databases was performed. Twenty-two articles were identified from the literature search, of which 16 were case-control studies and 6 were cohort studies. In the random-effects meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies, we found no association between the intake of individual and total carotenoids and the risk of CRC overall and by anatomic subsite. Overall, our findings do not support a significant association between intake of specific carotenoids from dietary sources, as well as combined carotenoids, and the risk of CRC overall and by anatomic subsite.

The STrengthening the REporting of Genetic Association studies (STREGA) statement was based on the STrengthening the REporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement, and it was published in 2009 in order to improve the reporting of genetic association (GA) studies. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of STREGA endorsement on the quality of reporting of GA studies published in journals in the field of genetics and heredity (GH). Quality of reporting was evaluated by assessing the adherence of papers to the STREGA checklist. After identifying the GH journals that endorsed STREGA in their instructions for authors, we randomly appraised papers published in 2013 from journals endorsing STREGA that published GA studies (Group A); in GH journals that never endorsed STREGA (Group B); in GH journals endorsing STREGA, but in the year preceding its endorsement (Group C); and in the same time period as Group C from GH journals that never endorsed STREGA (Group D). The STREGA statement was referenced in 29 (18.1%) of 160 GH journals, of which 18 (62.1%) journals published GA studies. Among the 18 journals endorsing STREGA, we found a significant increase in the overall adherence to the STREGA checklist over time (A vs C; P < 0.0001). Adherence to the STREGA checklist was significantly higher in journals endorsing STREGA compared to those that did not endorse the statement (A vs B; P = 0.04). No significant improvement was detected in the adherence to STREGA items in journals not endorsing STREGA over time (B vs D; P > 0.05). The endorsement of STREGA resulted in an increase in quality of reporting of GA studies over time, while no similar improvement was reported for journals that never endorsed STREGA.

This cross-sectional study has investigated the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Campania Region (Italy). A survey involving all the reference centers for MS in Campania Region was conducted from March to August 2011. Centers responded to a web-administered questionnaire on management and clinical characteristics of MS patients. In the study period, 3263 patients (mean age 37 years, 66 % females) accessed the centers. Patients received a first diagnosis of MS in 161 cases (4.9 %). About 37 % of the subjects without a previous diagnosis came to the centers on their own initiative. All patients underwent a complete neurological examination and expanded disability status scale. The other most common investigations were magnetic resonance imaging (44.0 %) and evoked potentials (22.1 %). The number of treated patients was 2797 (87.1 %). The most used drugs were interferon β and glatiramer acetate. The time between diagnosis and initiation of therapy exceeded 6 months in 32 % of cases. Second-line drugs were under-used: 16 % of patients who might benefit from them show high clinical and radiological disease activity despite treatment with immunomodulant drugs. The MS care management of the surveyed centers showed consistent margins for improvement in 2011. Even though these data do not represent the current situation, they can be used to monitor improvements in MS care.

The incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Italy is among the lowest in Europe. Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (MCC) was introduced in 2005 for 12 months old infants. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of IMD in Italy from 1994 to 2012 and to evaluate the impact of MCC introduction. Data about Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) cases were drawn from the National Surveillance of Invasive Bacterial Diseases. The average incidence of IMD during 1994-2012 in Italy was 0.36 per 100,000 (95%CI 0.30; 0.40). N. meningitidis B was the most frequent serogroup and infants less than 12 months old were the most affected. Joinpoint analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of N. meningitidis C related IMD after MCC introduction: the Annual Percentage Change declined from 21.8 (95%CI 15.1; 28.9) in 1994-2005 to -19.9 (95%CI -28.2; -10.7) afterwards. No changes were observed with respect to N. meningitidis B related IMD. Poisson regression showed a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of IMD both associated to N. meningitidis C (Incidence Rate Ratio 0.33; 95%CI 0.29; 0.37) and due to all serogroups (Incidence Rate Ratio 0.70; 95%CI 0.65; 0.75) in the post-vaccination period compared to the pre-vaccination one. On the other hand, the incidence of N. meningitidis B related IMD did not decrease. Our results suggest that MCC had an impact in decreasing the incidence of N. meningitidis C related IMD. However, data on typing are incomplete and efforts are needed to make them available for studying the need and the impact of other meningococcal vaccines.

Because of their role as antioxidants, the intake of carotenoids has been hypothesized to reduce the risk of head and neck cancer (HNC). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiological studies to investigate whether the intake of specific carotenoids from dietary sources, as well as combined carotenoids, is associated with the risk of HNC according to cancer subsites. A comprehensive literature search of the Medline and Scopus databases was conducted. Sixteen articles were identified from the literature search, of which 15 were case-control studies and one prospective cohort study. The risk reduction associated with β-carotene equivalents intake was 46% (95% CI, 20%-63%) for cancer of oral cavity and 57% (95% CI, 23%-76%) for laryngeal cancer. Lycopene and β-cryptoxanthin also reduced the risk for laryngeal cancer; the ORs for the highest category compared with the lowest one of carotenoid intake were 50% (95% CI, 11%-72%) and 59% (95% CI, 49%-67%), respectively. Lycopene, α-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin were associated with at least 26% reduction in the rate of oral and pharyngeal cancer (95% CI, 2%-44%). Our systematic review and meta-analysis on dietary carotenoids intake and HNC showed carotenoids to act protectively against HNC, in relation to most of single nutrients and subsites., (©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.)