Human dirofilariosis is a zoonosis caused by different Dirofilaria species: D. repens, D. immitis, D.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: The rate of severe outcomes of patients with 2009 pandemic (A/H1N1) influenza (2009pI) hospitalized in non-intensive care units (ICUs) has not been defined thus far. This study aims to assess the efficacy of the management of patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) of moderate intermediate severity in an infectious diseases unit (IDU) during the first wave of 2009pI and its influence on the burden of ICUs.
Methods: All patients hospitalized from October 27, 2009, to February 5, 2010, with ILI were included in this prospective observational study.
On the basis of their experience acquired in the field of thyroid surgery the authors examine the problems related to extracapsular lobectomy from a tactical and technical point of view, starting with its principal indications: benign monolobar thyroid disease in a single or multiple nodular form. The validity of extemporary histological tests is also assessed on the basis of their experience of rare false negatives and the relative successive totalization programme. Lastly, the paper underlines the fundamental identification of the recurrent nerve as the central point of the operation, before which the authors emphasize that nothing should be cut or ligated apart from the superior vascular peduncle and vena media.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe authors report a protocol of immunomodulation and monitoring of the intestinal function in coloresected patients using fermented milk (yoghurt). Intestinal immunity was evaluated with respect to CD4+ cells armed with secretory intestine-derived IgA, and to CD8+ cells armed with IgG aiming to an additional effect in the host protection against Gram-negative strains, such as Salmonella typhi, whose particularly high incidence in Apulia accounts for an increased immunitary activity. Ten patients (six females, four males), age ranging from 44 to 85 years, who underwent surgery between 1989 and 1992, each of whom had been prescribed a daily ration of 500 gr skimmed yoghurt for one month, were observed.
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