Surgery or Rehabilitation: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Treatment of Vocal Fold Polyps via Phonosurgery and Traditional Voice Therapy with "Voice Therapy Expulsion" Training.

Objective: Phonomicrosurgery is generally considered to be the treatment of choice for removing vocal fold polyps. However, specific techniques of voice therapy may represent, in selected cases and under certain conditions, a noninvasive therapeutic option for the treatment of such laryngeal lesions. The aim of the present study is to longitudinally assess, in terms of clinical outcomes and quality of life, two groups of patients with cordal polyps, treated either with standard surgery plus standard voice therapy or with a specific training of voice therapy alone, which we have called "Voice Therapy Expulsion.

Acceptance and safety of the intradermal influenza vaccine among the elderly in Italy: an on-field national study.

Introduction: An observational multicenter study was carried out in Italy, to evaluate the acceptability and safety of the new intradermal (ID) influenza vaccine (Intanza Sanofi Pasteur SA, Lyon, France) among subjects aged≥60 years, compared with that of other intramuscular (IM) influenza vaccines. Compliance with the use of the ID vaccine by healthcare professionals was also assessed.

Methods: A previously validated and self-administered questionnaire, Vaccinees' Perception of Injection (VAPI®), consisting of 21 questions, mainly focused on four dimensions (bother, arm movements, sleep, and acceptability), was administered to >1,600 individuals with spontaneous access to outpatient clinics, located in Northern, Central, and Southern Italy, to evaluate the acceptance of the vaccines.

Choosing the nephrostomy size after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of nephrostomy tube size on perioperative outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithtotmy (PCNL).

Methods: Forty-five well-matched patients with normal renal function were prospectively divided in two nonrandomized groups after uneventful PCNL (to receive either a 22-Fr, group 1 (n = 24 pts), or a 12-Fr nephrostomy tube, group 2 (n = 21 pts)). In all a balloon nephrostomy catheter with detachable funnel (Rüsch Teleflex, Germany) was used.

Dietary factors, Mediterranean diet and erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: Although epidemiological evidence seems to support a role for lifestyle factors in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED), limited data are available suggesting that dietary changes may improve ED.

Aim: To provide an update on clinical evidence regarding the role of dietary factors in ED.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE and other database (EMBASE, SCOPUS) with MeSH terms and keywords for "erectile dysfunction", "diet", "dietary patterns", "Mediterranean diet", and "lifestyle".

Adherence to Mediterranean diet and erectile dysfunction in men with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: There are no reported studies assessing the relation between diet and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with diabetes.

Aim: In the present study, we explored the relation between consumption of a Mediterranean-type diet and ED in a population of type 2 diabetic men.

Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled if they had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for at least six months but less than 10 years, age 35-70 years, body mass index (BMI) of 24 or higher, HbA1c of 6.

Adherence to Mediterranean diet and sexual function in women with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: There are no reported studies assessing the relation between diet and sexual function in women with diabetes.

Aim: In the present study, we explored the relation between consumption of a Mediterranean-type diet and sexual function in a population of type 2 diabetic women.

Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled if they had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for at least six months but less than 10 years, age 35-70 years, body mass index (BMI) of 24 or higher, HbA1c of 6.

Hyperlipidemia and sexual function in premenopausal women.

Introduction: No reported studies exist assessing the relationship between sexual function and hyperlipidemia in women.

Aim: In this study, we assessed the domains of sexual function in a representative sample of sexually active premenopausal women with hyperlipidemia, but without cardiovascular disease, as compared with an age-matched female population without hyperlipidemia.

Methods: To be enrolled in the study, women had to meet at least one of the following criteria for the diagnosis of hyperlipidemia: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels >160 mg/dL; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels <50 mg/dL; or triglyceride levels >150 mg/dL.

Short-term administration of prulifloxacin in patients with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer: an effective option for the prevention of bacillus Calmette-Guérin-induced toxicity?

Objective: To determine whether the new fluoroquinolone prulifloxacin might improve tolerance to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) intravesical therapy in patients with bladder cancer.

Patients And Methods: A series of 72 patients with intermediate- or high-risk nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial performed at a single tertiary care institution. After complete transurethral resection, patients were randomized to receive induction treatment with BCG and three capsules of prulifloxacin 600 mg or no prophylactic treatment (control group).

Effects of intensive lifestyle changes on erectile dysfunction in men.

Introduction: Limited data are available supporting the notion that treatment of lifestyle risk factors may improve erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim: In the present study, we analyzed the effect of a program of changing in lifestyle designed to improve erectile function in subjects with ED or at increasing risk for ED.

Methods: Men were identified in our database of subjects participating in randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of lifestyle changes.

Circulating CD34+ KDR+ endothelial progenitor cells correlate with erectile function and endothelial function in overweight men.

Introduction: Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) circulate in the peripheral blood and are involved in endothelial homeostasis and repair.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the circulating levels of different EPC phenotypes in overweight men with or without erectile dysfunction (ED). As endothelial dysfunction is considered a necessary link with ED, endothelium-dependent vasodilation and its relation with EPCs were also investigated.

Phenotypic assessment of endothelial microparticles in diabetic and nondiabetic men with erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) may play a role as biomarkers of vascular injury. EMPs are higher in men with diabetes diabetic men with erectile dysfunction (ED) than in nondiabetic potent men.

Aim: The aim of this study was to quantize different phenotypic circulating EMP levels among diabetic and nondiabetic patients with ED, and to determine whether EMPs are released as a result of activation or apoptosis.

What happens to the abstracts presented at the Societè Internationale d'Urologie meeting?

Objectives: To estimate the acceptance rate on peer-reviewed journals, describe the time-course of subsequent full publication, and identify those with characteristics associated with publication from the abstracts presented at the Societè Internationale d'Urologie (SIU) meeting.

Methods: All abstracts accepted for presentation at the annual 2002 and 2004 SIU meetings were identified from the published supplements in the BJU International. The subsequent publication rate for the corresponding studies by scanning Medline was evaluated.

Modified supine versus prone position in percutaneous nephrolithotomy for renal stones treatable with a single percutaneous access: a prospective randomized trial.

Objectives: To compare operative time, safety, and effectiveness of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the supine versus prone position in a prospective randomized trial.

Material And Methods: From October 2005 to June 2007, 75 patients (33 men, 42 women; mean age, 39.3 yr) were prospectively enrolled and randomly divided into group A (39 patients, supine position) and group B (36 patients, prone position).

Quantitative sensory and autonomic testing in nondiabetic women with sexual dysfunction.

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a significant public health problem. There are no reported studies assessing the relation between sexual function and neuropathy in women, except for diabetes mellitus.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the correlations between peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) among nondiabetic women with or without FSD.

A new transportable shock-wave lithotripsy machine for managing urinary stones: a single-centre experience with a dual-focus lithotripter.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of a transportable extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) machine, the Modulith SLX-F2(TM) (Storz Medical Italia, Rome, Italy), in the management of solitary urinary calculi.

Patients And Methods: The study included 233 patients (mean age 51 years; 172 male, 61 female) with symptomatic solitary renal (group A, 170, mean diameter 15.5 mm) or ureteric stones (group B, 63, mean diameter 9.

Sexual dysfunction and the Mediterranean diet.

Objectives: To discuss present knowledge about the relation between sexual dysfunction, metabolic factors and the Mediterranean-style diet.

Design: Review of the literature and personal perspectives.

Setting And Results: Sexual problems appear to be widespread in society, influenced by both health-related and psychosocial factors, and are associated with impaired quality of life.

Thalidomide in combination with oral daily cyclophosphamide in patients with pretreated hormone refractory prostate cancer: a phase I clinical trial.

Aim: This is a phase I study investigating the toxicity and the potential efficacy of thalidomide and oral cyclophosphamide in patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), previously treated with docetaxel-based regimens.

Methods: Two dose levels of thalidomide (100 and 200 mg every day) were studied. Patients were accrued to each dose level in cohorts of 3 starting from dose 1 level (100 mg).

Effect of a mediterranean-style diet on endothelial dysfunction and markers of vascular inflammation in the metabolic syndrome: a randomized trial.

Context: The metabolic syndrome has been identified as a target for dietary therapies to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease; however, the role of diet in the etiology of the metabolic syndrome is poorly understood.

Objective: To assess the effect of a Mediterranean-style diet on endothelial function and vascular inflammatory markers in patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Randomized, single-blind trial conducted from June 2001 to January 2004 at a university hospital in Italy among 180 patients (99 men and 81 women) with the metabolic syndrome, as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III.

Effect of lifestyle changes on erectile dysfunction in obese men: a randomized controlled trial.

Context: Healthy lifestyle factors are associated with maintenance of erectile function in men.

Objective: To determine the effect of weight loss and increased physical activity on erectile and endothelial functions in obese men.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Randomized, single-blind trial of 110 obese men (body mass index > or =30) aged 35 to 55 years, without diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, who had erectile dysfunction that was determined by having a score of 21 or less on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).

Effect of weight loss on cardiac synchronization and proinflammatory cytokines in premenopausal obese women.

Objective: Obesity is an important risk factor for heart failure in both women and men. Dyssynchrony between right and left ventricular contraction and relaxation has been identified as an independent predictor of heart failure. We examined the relationship of ventricular synchronization abnormalities with the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in obese women at baseline and after sustained weight loss.

Meal modulation of circulating interleukin 18 and adiponectin concentrations in healthy subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: A single high-fat meal induces endothelial activation, which is associated with increased serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines.

Objective: We compared the effect of 3 different meals on circulating concentrations of interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 18 (IL-18), and adiponectin in healthy subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Design: Thirty patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 30 matched, nondiabetic subjects received the following 3 isoenergetic (780 kcal) meals separated by 1-wk intervals: a high-fat meal; a high-carbohydrate, low-fiber (4.

Association of low interleukin-10 levels with the metabolic syndrome in obese women.

The potential role of anti-inflammatory cytokines in human obesity is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that low serum IL-10 concentrations associate with the metabolic syndrome in obese women. Compared with 50 matched nonobese women, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (>/=3 of the following abnormalities: waist circumference, >88 cm; triglycerides, >1.

Effect of dietary antioxidants on postprandial endothelial dysfunction induced by a high-fat meal in healthy subjects.

Background: Persons following current dietary guidelines have a lower risk of mortality from coronary heart disease.

Objective: The objective was to compare the short-term effect of a high-fat meal and a high-carbohydrate meal, with and without dietary antioxidants, on vasomotor, antiplatelet, and hemostatic functions of the endothelium in healthy subjects.

Design: In an observer-blinded, randomized crossover study, 25 (13 men and 12 women) healthy subjects were given each of 3 meals in random order at 1-wk intervals: a high-fat meal (760 kcal), an isoenergetic high-carbohydrate meal, and a high-fat meal with dietary antioxidants from vegetables (865 kcal).