Editorial for the Special Issue on "Geometry Reconstruction from Images".

This special issue on geometry reconstruction from images has received much attention from the community, with 10 published papers [...

The use of pediatric short-stay observation in Italy.

Background: In Italy, the State Regions Conference on 1 August 2019 approved the Guidelines for Short-Stay Observation (SSO). At the beginning of 2022, the main Scientific Societies of the pediatric hospital emergency-urgency area launched a national survey to identify the extent to which these national guidelines had been adopted in the emergency rooms and pediatric wards of the Italian Regions.

Methods: A survey has been widespread, among Pediatric Wards and Pediatric Emergency Departments (EDs), using both a paper questionnaire and a link to a database on Google Drive, for those who preferred to fill it directly online.

Vascular resection for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: analysis of long-term outcomes from a single-centre series.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. Radical surgery is the best option for cure and, nowadays, it is performed by many surgeons also in cases of vascular infiltration. Whether this aggressive approach to a locally advanced PDAC produces a survival benefit is under debate.

Deterministic Linear Time Constrained Triangulation Using Simplified Earcut.

Triangulation algorithms that conform to a set of non-intersecting input segments typically proceed in an incremental fashion, by inserting points first, and then segments. Inserting a segment amounts to: (1) deleting all the triangles it intersects; (2) filling the so generated hole with two polygons that have the wanted segment as shared edge; (3) triangulate each polygon separately. In this article we prove that these polygons are such that all their convex vertices but two can be used to form triangles in an earcut fashion, without the need to check whether other polygon points are located within each ear.

Blood cell count indexes as predictors of anastomotic leakage in elective colorectal surgery: a multicenter study on 1432 patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate a series of blood count inflammation indexes in predicting anastomotic leakage (AL) in elective colorectal surgery.

Methods: Demographic, pathologic, and clinical data of 1432 consecutive patients submitted to colorectal surgery in eight surgical centers were retrospectively evaluated. The neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR), derived neutrophil to lymphocyte (dNLR), lymphocyte to monocyte (LMR), and platelet to lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were calculated before surgery and on the 1st and 4th postoperative days, in patients with or without AL.

Laparoscopic versus open transverse-incision right hemicolectomy: a retrospective comparison study.

Background: The optimal surgical approach to right colon cancer is still under debate. The aim of the present study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic and transverse-incision open approaches to right hemicolectomy for colon cancer.

Methods: Data on 99 adult patients with right-side colon cancer undergoing either laparoscopic or open transverse-incision right hemicolectomy at two different university hospitals, between January 2013 and December 2016, were retrospectively reviewed.

Red cell distribution width and mean platelet volume as predictors of anastomotic dehiscence in colorectal surgery A pilot multicenter case-match study.

Aim: One of the most serious complications in modern colorectal surgery is the occurrence of an anastomotic dehiscence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of preoperative red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) as predictors of anastomotic dehiscence in elective surgery for colorectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Forty-two patients with a clinically manifested anastomotic dehiscence after oncological colorectal surgery, and 42 controls matched for age, sex, pathological stage and tumor localization were enrolled.

Perineural infiltration as a prognostic factor in surgically treated gallbladder cancer A single center experience and literature review.

Introduction: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most incident cancer of the biliary tract with only 5-13% of the sufferers surviving for five years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of perineural invasion (PNI) and its association with several clinicopathological variables in a cohort of surgically treated patients, and through a comprehensive review of the scientific literature.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-five consecutive patients submitted to curative surgery for GBC from 2008 through 2016 were enrolled.

Cost and morbidity analysis of chest port insertion in adults: Outpatient clinic operating room placement.

Background: Totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) represent a convenient way for the administration of medications or nutrients. Traditionally, chest ports have been positioned by surgeons in the operating room, however there has been a transition over the years to port insertion by interventional radiologists in the radiology suite. The optimal method for chest port placement is still under debate.

Mesothelial cyst in the liver round ligament: A case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Cysts of the liver round ligament are rare and they are benign in the majority of cases. Current literature has been reviewed on this subject.

Presentation Of Case: A 22-year-old woman with a history of epigastric pain was admitted at our institution.

Plasma levels of C-reactive protein, leptin and glycosaminoglycans during spontaneous menstrual cycle: differences between ovulatory and anovulatory cycles.

Purpose: To assess the plasma levels of the inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) during the menstrual cycle.

Methods: Eighteen healthy volunteers were divided into two groups according to the presence of ovulatory or anovulatory menstrual cycles. Blood samples were collected at different time points: at the menstrual phase (days 2-3), periovulatory phase (days 12-13), and luteal phase (days 23-24).

Low cadmium concentration in whole blood from residents of northern Sardinia (Italy) with special reference to smoking habits.

Introduction: The present study was initiated to investigate the cadmium concentrations in whole blood of Northern Sardinian, non-occupationally exposed adult subjects. Sardinia is a large Italian island which differs genetically and environmentally from other mainland Italian areas.

Methods: Two hundred and forty-three adults (157 females and 86 males) were selected in the study area from subjects who were undergoing blood collection for laboratory analysis during the period January 2005-May 2005.

Iloprost therapy acutely decreases oxidative stress in patients affected by systemic sclerosis.

Background: Oxidative stress has been considered a leading factor in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Consistently with this hypothesis the determination of urinary isoprostanes, a reliable method for evaluation of oxidative stress, has recently showed increased levels of isoprostanes in SSc patients. Data about the effect on oxidative stress of accepted therapies for SSc such as iloprost therapy are lacking.

A proteomic approach to differentiate histologically classified stable and unstable plaques from human carotid arteries.

Objectives: By using proteomics we isolated and identified proteins that were expressed/retained in stable and unstable human carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods: The criteria for plaque instability were the presence of a thin fibrous cap or fissured cap covering the foamy or necrotic core, and the presence of overt, hemorrhagic, ulcerated or thrombotic plaques. Proteins were extracted from finely minced endarterectomy specimens (19 stable and 29 unstable plaques) and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Glycosaminoglycan and transforming growth factor beta1 changes in human plasma and urine during the menstrual cycle, in vitro fertilization treatment, and pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) changes in human plasma and urine during the menstrual cycle, IVF-ET, and pregnancy.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: University hospital.

A novel LIF-CE method for the separation of hyaluronan- and chondroitin sulfate-derived disaccharides: Application to structural and quantitative analyses of human plasma low- and high-charged chondroitin sulfate isomers.

The report describes a rapid and simple CE method using LIF detection for the analysis of unsaturated disaccharides obtained from enzymatic depolymerization of plasma chondroitin sulfate (CS) isomers. The disaccharide reducing groups were labeled with 2-aminoacridone (AMAC). The fluorotagged products can be separated by reversed-polarity CE using a sodium acetate buffer, pH 3.

Quali-quantitative analysis of urinary glycosaminoglycans for monitoring glomerular inflammatory activity.

Objective: A 2-year follow-up study was carried out in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in order to verify the possible use of quali-quantitative analysis of urinary glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) as a prognostic index of disease and for drug treatment monitoring.

Material And Methods: Ten patients with IgAN were evaluated at four time points: baseline, and 6, 9 and 24 months later. GAGs were isolated from 24-h urine using ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel, and concentrations were expressed as milligrams of hexuronate per gram of creatinine.

Factors affecting S-homocysteinylation of LDL apoprotein B.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an important risk factor for vascular disease and atherosclerosis, but the mechanisms by which homocysteine exerts its deleterious effects are not known. Because oxidation and/or homocysteinylation may increase atherogenicity of LDL, we investigated S-homocysteinylation of LDL as a possible contributor to atherosclerosis pathogenesis.

Methods: We used capillary electrophoresis to measure LDL-bound thiols [homocysteine, cysteine (Cys), cysteinylglycine, glutathione, and glutamylcysteine] in 104 healthy study participants We also assessed total plasma thiol concentrations and lipid profiles.

Estrous cycle-dependent changes in basal and ethanol-induced activity of cortical dopaminergic neurons in the rat.

The influence of the estrous cycle on dopamine levels in the rat medial prefrontal cortex under basal and ethanol-stimulated conditions was evaluated by microdialysis. The basal dopamine concentration in the dialysate varied markedly during the estrous cycle, being highest in estrus and lowest in proestrus. Furthermore, a challenge intraperitoneal administration of ethanol (0.

A longitudinal evaluation of urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion in normoalbuminuric type 1 diabetic patients.

Background: Previously, we found high urinary glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentration, together with an altered electrophoretic pattern, in normoalbuminuric type 1 diabetic subjects with hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) > or =8.0%. The purpose of this study was long-term evaluation of GAG excretion variations in these patients compared to those with HbA(1c) < 8.

Specific detection of cytokeratin 20-positive cells in blood of colorectal and breast cancer patients by a high sensitivity real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method.

A real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method for detection of cytokeratin 20-positive cells in blood characterized by two novel features was developed and tested on 99 patients with colorectal cancer, 110 with breast cancer, and 150 healthy subjects. To optimize the specificity and sensitivity of the method, two novel features were used. First, a primer overlapping two adjacent exons was generated to inhibit nonspecific amplification both in healthy donors and cancer patients; second, a non-end-point first-round amplification was used to increase sensitivity.

Urinary glycosaminoglycan composition in chronic glomerulonephritis.

Background: Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) play an important role in regulating glomerular permeability, and a reduction in their plasmatic concentration or urinary loss has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases associated with increased albumin permeability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate GAG excretion in renal pathology by analyzing the composition of urinary GAG in antibody mediated glomerular injury, such as mesangial glomerulonephritis (IgAGN) and primitive membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN), to verify the effects of glomerular capillary wall lesion with and without mesangial cell injury.

Methods: Urinary GAG excretion was analyzed in 20 patients with IgAGN, 18 patients with MGN, and in 18 healthy subjects (controls).

Chronic administration of the SSRI fluvoxamine markedly and selectively reduces the sensitivity of cortical serotonergic neurons to footshock stress.

We have evaluated, with the use of vertical microdialysis, the effects of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) on the increase in serotonin and norepinephrine output elicited in rats prefrontal cortex by exposure to footshock stress. Exposure to footshock stress induced a marked increase in the cortical extracellular concentration of both serotonin and norepinephrine (+70% and +100%, respectively) in control rats. Long term, but not acute administration of fluvoxamine (10 mg/kg, i.