Myocardial work and left heart deformation parameters across primary mitral regurgitation severity.

Aims: Myocardial work (MW) estimation by pressure-strain loops using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has shown to evaluate left ventricular (LV) contraction overcoming the load-dependency limit of LV global longitudinal strain (GLS). This has proved useful in hemodynamic variation settings e.g.

Development in the surgical treatment of acute appendicitis: A single-center experience.

Purpose: Laparoscopy has become the treatment of choice for acute appendicitis. The aim of the study was to compare open (OA) and laparoscopic (LA) approaches in all forms of acute appendicitis.

Methodology: Two hundred and ninety-two children underwent appendectomy (238 LA/54 OA).

Prospective Study on Several Urinary Biomarkers as Indicators of Renal Damage in Children with CAKUT.

Purpose:  The aim of the study was to investigate urinary levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), β-2-microglobulin (β2M), and FAS-ligand (FAS-L) in children with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) disease at risk of developing glomerular hyperfiltration syndrome. For this reason, we selected patients with multicystic kidney, renal agenesia and renal hypodysplasia, or underwent single nephrectomy.

Materials And Methods:  This prospective, multicentric study was conducted in collaboration between the Pediatric Surgery Unit in Foggia and the Pediatric Nephrology Unit in Bari, Italy.

Laparascopic-assisted nephroureterectomy for shaped urolithiasis and xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: case report and review of literature.

We report a case of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) complicated by shaped urolithiasis, severe hydroureteronephrosis and kidney exclusion treated by laparoscopic-assisted nephroureterectomy. A 9 year-old boy was referred to us for recurrent episodes of urinary tract infection, abdominal pain and severe hydronephrosis. Abdominal CT and a Tc-99m MAG3 scan showed a non-functioning obstructed kidney with shaped urolithiasis of the distal ureter.

Urinary epidermal growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and β2-microglobulin in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Background/purpose: We demonstrated down-regulation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and up-regulation of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in the renal parenchyma in children who underwent pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). These findings were paralleled by urinary levels of EGF and MCP-1 before and after surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the urinary excretion of these cytokines and β2-microglobulin (β2M) in children with urine flow impairment at the ureteropelvic junction or who underwent pyeloplasty.

Polydimethylsiloxane (macroplastique®) injection for vesicoureteral reflux in duplex ureters: a comparison with single renal systems.

Objective: VUR in patients with a duplex system (DS) is often treated by open surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of subureteric polydimethylsiloxane (Macroplastique(®)) injection (SMING) in the management of VUR in duplex and single (SS) renal systems.

Patients And Methods: Fifteen children (24 refluxing renal units) with VUR in DS underwent SMING.

Defective in vitro contractility of ureteropelvic junction in children with functional and obstructive urine flow impairment.

Background/purpose: Studies of children with urinary flow impairment (UFI) at the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) have revealed prestenotic, stenotic, and poststenotic histologic changes. Muscle function, however, has not been investigated. We therefore evaluated in vitro UPJ contractility by tensiometry in children with UFI.

Endoscopic treatment with polydimethylsiloxane in children with dilating vesico-ureteric reflux.

Objective: To report our experience of treating dilating vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) in children, using an injectable form of polydimethylsiloxane (Macroplastique, MPQ; Uroplasty BV, Geleen, The Netherlands), as medical treatment for moderate or severe VUR is associated with a high proportion of persistence or development of new scars.

Patients And Methods: The study included 32 children (40 ureters) with VUR; 13 (32%) were grade III, 20 (50%) grade IV and seven (18%) grade V. They were treated over a period of 42 months, 66% for some form of bladder dysfunction and 38% had associated diseases.