A Comparison Study: Possible Bias in Troponin I Measurement Obtained with a Point of Care Testing and a Central Laboratory Analyzers Employing Different Biological Matrices and Anticoagulants.

Background: high-sensitive cardiac TroponinI (hs-cTnI) is widely used for diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes. The latest recommendation for hs-cTnI determination is the protocol 0-1 h finalized to improve the rule out accuracy of the test. A Point of Care Testing able to guarantee these performances could be very useful due to reducing the turnaround time and ruling out patients suspected of ACS, especially by using biological matrices that are not required for centrifuge.

Direct and indirect effects of psychological well-being and therapeutic alliance on therapy outcome in eating disorders.

Introduction: Outcome research in eating disorders (EDs) is commonly focused on psychopathological dysfunction. However, Ryff's model of psychological well-being (PWB) has shown promising-yet preliminary-results with ED patients. Additionally, despite substantial evidence highlighting the association between the therapeutic alliance and treatment outcome, findings in ED samples remain unclear.

From symptoms to subjective and bodily experiences: the contribution of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM-2) to diagnosis and treatment monitoring in eating disorders.

Purpose: Atheoretical and descriptive conceptualizations of eating disorders (EDs) have faced substantial criticism due to their limited ability to assess patients' subjective characteristics and experiences, as needed to determine the most appropriate treatment options. The present article provides an overview of the clinical and empirical literature supporting the potential contribution of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM-2) to both diagnostic assessment and treatment monitoring.

Methods: Following a discussion of the most relevant shortcomings of current diagnostic models of EDs and a description of the rationale and structure of the PDM-2, evidence supporting the core PDM-2 dimensions of ED patients' subjective experiences (i.

Alkaline phosphatase in clinical practice in childhood: Focus on rickets.

Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and its isoenzymes reflect bone metabolism: ALP increases the ratio of inorganic phosphate to pyrophosphate systemically and facilitates mineralization as well as reduces extracellular pyrophosphate concentration, an inhibitor of mineral formation. On the contrary, low ALP activity is associated with reduction of bone turnover. ALP includes four isoenzymes depending on the site of tissue expression: intestinal ALP, placental ALP, germ cell ALP and tissue nonspecific ALP or liver/bone/kidney ALP.

COVID-19 in the Perioperative Period of Cardiovascular Surgery: the Brazilian Experience.

Introduction: We investigated the clinical course and outcomes of patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery in Brazil and who had developed symptoms/signs of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the perioperative period.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter study including 104 patients who were allocated in three groups according to time of positive real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2): group 1, patients who underwent cardiac surgery > 10 days after positive RT-PCR; group 2, patients with a positive RT-PCR within 10 days before or after surgery; group 3, patients who presented positive RT-PCR > 10 days after surgery. The primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, and postoperative days of hospitalization.

The Mediator Effect of Personality on the Relationship Between Symptomatic Impairment and Treatment Outcome in Eating Disorders.

Features of personality disorders (PDs) have been found to explain meaningful variance in the onset, maintenance, and symptomatic presentation of eating disorders (EDs), and a co-occurent personality pathology is commonly associated with poorer response to ED treatment. The "pathoplasty model" of the relationship between personality and EDs implies that, once both conditions are established, they are likely to interact in ways that modify therapy outcome; however, to date, no studies have explored overall personality functioning, and especially PD clusters, as a mediator of treatment outcome. The present study aimed at conjointly exploring the associations between personality functioning and PDs, respectively, with pre-treatment ED symptomatic impairment and therapy outcome; and the mediating role of personality variables.

Current and emerging drug targets in heart failure treatment.

After initial strategies targeting inotropism and congestion, the neurohormonal interpretative model of heart failure (HF) pathophysiology has set the basis for current pharmacological management of HF, as most of guideline recommended drug classes, including beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, blunt the activation of detrimental neurohormonal axes, namely sympathetic and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) systems. More recently, sacubitril/valsartan, a first-in-class angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor, combining inhibition of RAAS and potentiation of the counter-regulatory natriuretic peptide system, has been consistently demonstrated to reduce mortality and HF-related hospitalization. A number of novel pharmacological approaches have been tested during the latest years, leading to mixed results.

Ultra-early postoperative feeding and its impact on reducing endovenous fluids.

Objective: To investigate the use of "ultra-early" postoperative feeding (oral liquid diet offered in the post-anesthetic recovery room) in patients undergoing common general surgical procedures and to assess the volume of intravenous fluids, as well as the rate of complications and the length of hospital stay.

Methods: Prospective, observational study, which assessed the compliance with the "ultra-early" feeding, the reduction of preoperative fasting time, the perioperative venous hydration volume, the length of stay and the operative morbidity.

Results: 154 patients with a mean age of 46 ± 15 years were followed.

Benefits of Fasting Abbreviation with Carbohydrates and Omega-3 Infusion During CABG: a Double-Blind Controlled Randomized Trial.

Objective: To assess postoperative clinical data considering the association of preoperative fasting with carbohydrate (CHO) loading and intraoperative infusion of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA).

Methods: 57 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomly assigned to receive 12.5% maltodextrin (200 mL, 2 h before anesthesia), (CHO, n=14); water (200 mL, 2 h before anesthesia), (control, n=14); 12.

Should we fear direct oral anticoagulants more than vitamin K antagonists in simple single tooth extraction? A prospective comparative study.

Objectives: The aim of this prospective comparative clinical study was to evaluate the effect of oral anticoagulants on peri- and post-operative bleeding during simple single tooth extractions, comparing patients in treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and patients assuming direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).

Materials And Methods: Patients under oral anticoagulant therapy needing dental extraction were eligible for entering the study; patients were enrolled following inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into VKAs and DOAC group according to the anticoagulation therapy. Included patients underwent a simple single dental extraction with elevators and forceps with a maximum surgical time of 15 minutes, without anticoagulation therapy discontinuation.

Efficacy of 4-year treatment of icon infiltration resin on postorthodontic white spot lesions.

White spot lesions are defined as enamel surface and sub surface demineralisation, although these lesions can be reversed and do not form cavities. Infiltration using fluid resin proved to be a valid micro-invasive alternative compared with traditional conservative therapy. This has allowed treatment without any trauma (no use of local anaesthesia and cavity preparation) of numerous lesions in only one session with stable clinical (mechanical stability, enamel hardness, conservation of sound tissue) and aesthetic results (disappearance of lesions) over the time.

Safety and efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor biosimilars in engraftment after autologous stem cell transplantation for haematological malignancies: a 4-year, single institute experience with different conditioning regimens.

Background: Filgrastim biosimilars have recently been introduced into clinical practice. To date biosimilars have demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety as the originator in chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Published experience in engraftment after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is limited and concerns relatively few patients.

Continence outcomes following partial excision of vaginal mesh exposure after mid-urethral tape insertion.

Objective: To assess the incidence of recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following vaginal excision of exposed mid-urethral tape (MUT).

Study Design: This was a retrospective observational study in a tertiary urogynaecology unit of an inner city teaching hospital. The population consisted of 41 consecutive women seen with a vaginal mesh exposure following MUT insertion between 2000 and 2009, which failed to resolve with conservative measures.

Avulsion injury and levator hiatal ballooning: two independent risk factors for prolapse? An observational study.

Objective: To study whether avulsion and ballooning are independent risk factors for symptoms and/or signs of pelvic organ prolapse.

Design: Retrospective analysis of data obtained in clinical practice.

Setting: Tertiary urogynecology unit.

Lack of correlation between metallic elements analyzed in hair by ICP-MS and autism.

A cross-sectional case-control study was carried out to evaluate the concentrations of metallic elements in the hair of 44 children with diagnosis of autism and 61 age-balanced controls. Unadjusted comparisons showed higher concentrations of molybdenum, lithium and selenium in autistic children. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the role of risk factor for male gender and showed a slight association with molybdenum concentrations.

Long-term outcomes of modified high uterosacral ligament vault suspension (HUSLS) at vaginal hysterectomy.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate long-term outcomes of a modified high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUSLS) at vaginal hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods: POP was assessed 5 years postoperatively in 42 women who underwent vaginal hysterectomy and HUSLS for POP. Bladder, bowel, sexual function and quality of life (QoL) were evaluated.

High uterosacral ligament vault suspension at vaginal hysterectomy: objective and subjective outcomes of a modified technique.

Aims: To evaluate the outcomes of a modified high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUSLS) performed at vaginal hysterectomy for uterine prolapse.

Methods: Prolapse was assessed pre- and postoperatively in 53 consecutive women, using Baden-Walker Halfway and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification systems. Sexually active women completed the Prolapse and Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire at follow up.

Is there an alternative to pad tests? Correlation of subjective variables of severity of urinary loss to the 1-h pad test in women with stress urinary incontinence.

Objective: To compare the 1-h pad test in women who have urodynamically confirmed stress incontinence (USI) with a patient-based 3-point symptom severity scale and validated quality of life (QoL) questionnaires.

Patients And Methods: In all, 98 women with USI were prospectively recruited; all had a 1-h pad test and completed the validated disease-specific QoL questionnaires, including short forms of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ-SF), Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7). In addition, the severity of incontinence was determined using the Stamey grading scale, a visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and a patient-based 3-point symptom severity scale.

Recurrent urinary tract infections.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in women, and one in four of these women will develop a recurrence. Various risk factors predispose women of different age groups to recurrence. These factors include sexual intercourse, use of contraception, antimicrobials, oestrogen, genetics, and the distance of the urethra from the anus.

Tension-free vaginal tape exposure presenting as a recurrent sterile paraurethral abscess.

We report a case of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) exposure presenting as a recurrent sterile paraurethral abscess at 25 months and 40 months following successful continence surgery and describe the management of this problem.